Chapter 7

Collision Theory

Molecules must collide in order to react.

Molecules must collide with the proper orientation such that the correct atoms can form a bond.

Molecules must possess a minimum amount of energy in order to collide with enough force to
cause a reaction. This minimum amount of energy is known as the activation energy.

Chapter 7

Law of Conservation of Energy

Energy is neither created nor destroyed, but is only transferred from one form to another.

Exergonic reaction: a reaction in which the products are lower in energy than the reactants;
energy is released.

Endergonic reaction: a reaction in which the products are higher in energy than the reactants;
energy is absorbed.

Chapter 7

Rate of Reaction

Temperature: an increase in T will increase the rate of a chemical reaction.

Concentration: an increase in the C will increase the rate of a reaction.
Catalyst: addition of a catalyst will increase the rate of a reaction. Note that a biological catalyst
is called an enzyme.

Chapter 7

Equilibrium

Chemical equilibrium occurs when opposing reactions proceed at the same rate, thus there is no change
in the overall concentration of the reactants or products. This does not mean that the concentrations are
equal!

Whether a reaction is product favored or reactant favored can be determined mathematically using the
following equation:
aA + bB mM + nN

Chapter 7

Le Chateliers Principle

In the lab, we strive for as high of a yield of product as possible by:

Adjusting T
Adjusting P
Adjusting C

Le Chateliers Principle states that when a change is made in T, P or C to a system at equilibrium,

the system will shift its equilibrium to counterbalance the effect of the change in T, P or C.
Disturbance

Change as Mixture
Returns to Equilibrium

Effect on Equilibrium

Addition of Reactant

Some of added reactant is

consumed

Shift to create more product (right)

Addition of Product

Some of added product is

consumed

Shift to create more reactant (left)

Decrease V, increase P

Pressure decreases

Shift toward fewer moles of gas

Increase V, decrease P

Pressure increases

Shift toward more moles of gas

Rise in T

Heat energy consumed

Shift in the endothermic direction

Drop in T

Heat energy generated

Shift in exothermic direction

Chapter 7

Problems from Ch 7
For the following endothermic reaction, will the changes indicated cause equilibrium to shift to the right
or left?
PCl5 (g) ! PCl3 (g) + Cl2 (g)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Pressure is increased
Volume is decreased
Chlorine gas is added
The reaction is heated over a burner
The reaction is cooled over an ice bath

Chapter 7

A process or reaction which releases heat to the surroundings is said to be

exergonic. exothermic. conservative. endothermic. isothermal.
If heat is consumed during a reaction, the reaction is said to be ________.
exothermic can't tell. endergonic endothermic exothermic
Activation energy can best be described as
the difference in energy between reactants and the maximum energy.
the energy level of the reactants.
the energy level of the products.
the difference in energy between reactants and products.
the maximum energy level of the reaction.

In the reaction energy diagrams shown, reaction A is ________, and it occurs ________ reaction B.
exergonic; slower than
endergonic; faster than
endergonic; slower than
exergonic; faster than
exergonic; at the same rate as
In the reaction energy diagrams shown, reaction B is ________, and it occurs ________ reaction A.
exergonic; at the same rate as
exergonic; faster than
exergonic; slower than
endergonic; slower than
endergonic; faster than

Chapter 7

Which factors would decrease the rate of a reaction?

I. Lowering the temperature
II. Increasing the concentration of reactants
III. Adding a catalyst
III only
I and III
I only
II only
II and III
In the reaction A + B AB, which of the following will not increase the rate?
increasing the temperature
adding B
decreasing the temperature
adding A
adding a catalyst
Which statement best describes the way a catalyst works?
It increases the value of Eact.
It decreases the value of H.
It increases the value of G.
It decreases the value of Eact.
It increases the value of H.
When a reaction system is at equilibrium
the amounts of reactants and products are exactly equal.
the reaction rate in the forward direction is at a maximum.
there is no more chemistry happening.
the reaction rate in the reverse direction is at a minimum.
the rates of the reaction in the forward and reverse directions are exactly equal.
The position of the equilibrium for a system where K = 4.6 10-15 can be described as being favored to ________;
the concentration of products is relatively ________.
the left; small
the right; large
the right; small
the left; large
neither direction; large

Chapter 7

Which change to this reaction system would cause the equilibrium to shift to the right?
N2 (g) + 3 H2 (g) 2 NH3 (g) + heat
removal of H2 (g)
lowering the temperature
heating the system
addition of a catalyst
addition of NH3 (g)
Diatomic nitrogen is added to the equilibrium system:
N2 (g) + H2 (g) 2 NH3(g) + heat
When a new equilibrium is established the concentration of H2 will be ________ the amount at the original
equilibrium, and the amount of NH3 will be ________ the amount at the original equilibrium.
less than; less than
greater than; greater than
greater than; less than
less than; greater than
Both changes will be impossible to determine.
If we add a catalyst to the following equation, CO + H2O + heat CO2 + H2, which way will the equilibrium
shift?
To the right
To the left
No effect
Not enough information
For the following reaction, increasing the pressure will cause the equilibrium to ________.
2 SO2 (g) + O2 (g) 2 SO3 (g) + heat
shift to the right, towards products
shift to the left, towards reactants
remain unchanged, but the reaction mixture will get warmer
remain unchanged, but the reaction mixture will get cooler
Pressure has no effect on equilibrium.

Chapter 7

A slow reaction with a large negative free energy change

A
B
C
D
E
A fast reaction with a large negative free energy change
A
B
C
D
E
A slow reaction with a large positive free energy change
A
B
C
D
E
A fast reaction with a small positive free energy change
A
B
C
D
E

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Chapter 7

A slow reaction with a small negative free energy change

A
B
C
D
E

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