Study Guide Flashcards
Reaction Rate
The rate of a reaction is a measure of how quickly a reactant is used up or a product is formed.
The collision Theory
For a chemical reaction to occur the reactants must be in the correct orientation and have enough kinetic energy.
Activation Energy
The minimum amount of energy that colliding particles must have for them to react.
Fast Reactions vs. Snow Reactions
fast reactions finish sooner (when the line becomes horizontal) than slow reaction.
If the concentration of a reacting solution or the pressure of a reacting gas is increased:
the reactant particles become more crowded
the frequency of collisions between reactant particles increases
the rate of reaction increases
If the surface area to volume ratio of a reacting solid is increased:
more reactant particles are exposed at the surface
the frequency of successful collisions between reactant particles increases
the rate of reaction increases
Which reaction takes the longest time, where there is powder or where there are lumps
Powder, the reason why is because there is more surface area compared to the lumps. When there is a greater surface area the reactant particles exposed have increased. When there is more reactant particles exposed then the chances of collisions happening increases.
If the temperature of the reaction mixture is increased:
reactantparticles move more quickly
the energy of the particles increases
the frequency of successful collisions between reactant particles increases
the proportion of collisions which are successful also increases
the rate of reaction increases
Successful Collision
A collision between reactant particles with enough energy, eg the activation energy or more, to produce a reaction.
A catalyst is a substance that:
increases the rate of a reaction, but
does not alter the products of the reaction, and
is unchanged chemically and in mass at the end of the reaction
How do catalysts work?
A catalyst allows an alternative reaction pathway that has a lower activation energy than the uncatalysed reaction. This does not change the frequency of collisions.
Enzyme
A biological catalyst
Endothermic Reaction
An endothermic reaction is a chemical reaction that takes in energy from the surroundings. The energy is usually transferred as heat energy: the reaction absorbs heat. This makes the environment around it colder.
Exothermic Reaction
An exothermic reaction is a chemical reaction where the substances reacting release energy as heat. An example of this is combustion. Exothermic reactions transfer energy to the surroundings.
Optimum Temperature
The temperature where the reaction rate will be the fastest