Activation energy

1.

According to the kinetic theory of matter, particles of matter are in continuous motion
and
constantly in collision with each other.
2. During a reaction, the particles of the reactants, whether atoms, molecules or ions, must
collide with each other for bond breaking and then bond formation to occurs.
3. Only those collisions which achieved a minimum amount of energy, called activation
energy, and with the correct orientation, will result in a reactions.
4.
These collisions are known as called effective collisions.
5.
If the particles collide with energy less than the activation energy needed for reaction or
with the wrong orientation, they simply bounce apart without reacting.
6.
These collisions are known as ineffective collisions.
7.
In the energy profile diagram, the activation energy is the difference is energy between
the
energy of the reactants and the energy shown by the peak of the curve,
8.
It is the energy barrier that must be overcome by the colliding particles of the reactants
in
order for reaction to occur.
9.
The number of effective collisions occurring in one second is called the frequency of
effective collision.
10. when the frequency of effective collision is high, the rate of reaction is high.

Use of collision theory to explain the

effect of the size of reactant /
total surface area on the rate of reaction

When the size of a fixed mass of solid

reactant is smaller, the total surface
area exposed to
collision with the particles of the other
reactants is bigger.
Thus, the frequency of collision among
the reacting particles at the surface of
the solid
reactant increases.
This leads to an increase in the
frequency of effective collision and
hence, a higher rate of reaction.

Use of collision theory to explain

the effect of concentration on the
rate of reaction
1.When the concentration of the solution of a
reactant increase, the number of particles
per
unit volume of the solution of this reactant
also increase.
2. with more particles per unit volume of the
solution, the number of collisions per unit
time
between the reacting particles increases.
3. Thus, the frequency of effective collision
increases and hence, the rate of reaction
increases

Use of collision theory to explain

the effect of Temperature on the
rate of reaction
1. When the temperature increase, the
average kinetic energy of the reacting
particles increases.
2. The particles move faster and collide more
often with one another. The frequency of
collision among the reacting particles
increases.
3. Particles also have more energy to
overcome the activation energy.
4. These changes increase the frequency of
effective collision.
5. Hence, the rate of reaction increase.

Use of collision theory to explain

the effect of Pressure on the rate
of reaction
1. when the pressure of gaseous reactant
increases, the particles are compressed
to occupy a smaller volume. The
number of gas particles per unit volume
increases.
2. The frequency of collision among the
reacting particles increases.
3. This increases the frequency of
effective collision.
4. Hence, the rate of reaction increases.

Use of collision theory to explain

the effect of catalyst on the rate
of reaction
1. When a positive catalyst is used in a
chemical reaction, it provides as
alternative path with a lower
activation energy.
2. More colliding particles are able to
overcome the lower activation energy.
3. The increases the frequency of effective
collision.
4. Hence the rate of reaction increases.

Catalyst in Industry

Size of reactant
Size of reactant
__________, total
surface area
_______________

Concentration
Temperature
Catalyst
At higher concentration, Temperature ________,
Catalyst will provide
number of particles
kinetic energy of
___________ path with
____________
reactant ____________
lower
___________________
_______________

Thus
Particles will collide
__________________
cause
Frequency of collision
_________________

Frequency of effective
collision _________________
Hence
The rate of reaction
_________________