Section 9 - Collision Theory

Question 1

What is explained by collision theory?

Answer 1

Reaction rates

Question 2

What is collision theory?

Answer 2

• It’s based on the idea that particles in liquids and gases are always moving around and colliding with each other. Not every collision results in the particles reacting.
• The following conditions need to be right:
• The particles need to collide in the right direction; they need to be facing each other the right way.
• The particles need to collide with at least a certain minimum amount of energy.
  Collision theory states that the more collisions there are, and the more energy these collisions have, the more likely particles are to react.

Question 3

What is ‘activation energy’?

Answer 3

The minimum amount of kinetic (movement) energy particles need to react

Question 4

What is activation energy used for?

Answer 4

To break the bonds to start the reaction

Question 5

What is ‘enthalpy’?

Answer 5

Energy