Vocab Flashcards
Collision Theory
In order for product molecules to form during a chemical reaction, reactant molecules must collide with each other and at the moment of collision they must be properly aligned with each other.
Instantaneous Reaction Rate
The rate of a reaction at a single moment in time
Initial Reaction Rate
The rate of a reaction at the very beginning of the reaction.
Average Reaction Rate
The average rate of a reaction during a period of time during the reaction
Equilibrium
This develops when two opposing processes occur at the same time
Equilibrium Reaction
A chemical reaction during which reactants collide to form products while products are colliding to reform reactants at the same time
Forward reactants
This occurs when reactants collide to form products molecules
Reverse reaction
This occurs when products molecules collide to form reactant molecules
Reaction to completion
A chemical reaction during where reactants collide to form products but products don’t form reactants
Initial rate law
A math equation that can be used to calculate the initial rate of a reaction based on the initial concentration of the reactants. Must be done through experimentation in lab
Rate law constant
the number in an initial rate law that can often be used to compare the rates of two different chemical reactions
Order of reactants
The exponent beside a reactant in the initial rate law
Overall reaction order
The sum of the exponents beside all the reactants in an initial rate law
Reaction mechanism
A series of simple chemical reactions by which a complex chemical reaction occurs. Sometimes called a pathway
Elementary steps
Each simple chemical reaction during a reaction mechanism
Unimolecular collision
A collision between two identical reactants molecules during a reaction mechanism
Bimolecular collision
A collision between 2 different reactants molecules during a reaction mechanism
Trimolecular collision
A collision between 3 different reactant molecules during a reaction mechanism
Intermediate
A molecule produced during one step of a reaction mechanism and then consumed in a future step of a reaction mechanism
Rate determining step
The slowest step in a reaction mechanism this step alone determines the rate of the entire reaction mechanism
Potential energy
The energy molecules possess because if their positions or location. The potential energy of molecules involves the repulsion of their electron clouds and the energy required to break the bonds of the reactants molecules.
Potential energy diagram
A theoretical graph that depicts the amount of potential energy between two reactants as they move randomly in a container
Activation energy
The amount of kinetic energy reactant molecules must possess in order to overcome the repulsion of their electron clouds and collide with each other
Activated complex
A structure cream at the moment of an effect collision between reactant molecules at this moment the bonds of reactants are breaking and the bonds of products are forming
Kinetic energy distribution diagram
A diagram that indicates the relative numbers of reactants molecules in a container that possess certain amounts of kinetic energy.
Enzymes
A molecule added to a chemical reaction that changes the rate of the reaction
Catalyst
An enzyme that speeds up a reaction
Inhibitor
An enzyme that slows down the rate of a reaction
Substrate
The reactant molecule to which the enzyme attaches by the lock and key mechanism
Lock and key mechanism
Two molecules will attach to each other like pieces of a puzzle if they have exactly opposite shapes and charge distribution
Chemical Kinetics
The study of the speed at which reactants change to products during a chemical reaction.
