Reaction Rates and Catalysts

Reaction Rates and Catalysts

1. Collision Theory

   • Particles must collide in the right direction
   • Particles must collide with the minimum amount of kinetic energy
     • Activation energy
     • Minimum amount of kinetic energy needed to break the bonds
       • Start the reaction

2. Maxwell-Boltzmann distrubtion

   • The number of gaseous molecules with different kinetic energies
   • Some molecules have more than the activation energy. These are the only ones that can react

3. Increase the temperature

   • Molecules will have a higher kinetic energy
     • Move faster
       • Collide more often
         • Increases reaction rate
   • Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution
     • Move to the right
       • A greater proportion of molecules will have at least the activation energy and will be able to react

4. Increasing concentration

   • Particles will be closer together
     • Collide more often
   • Increasing pressure for gas

5. Catalysts

   • They do take part in reactions
     • Remade at the end
   • Saves money in industrial processes
   • Lowers the activation energy
     • Increases rate of reaction