Name __________________________ Date __________ Class ________

Collision Theory Questions Worksheet

1. According to the collision theory, reaction rate can be increased by increasing the

of collisions and/or increasing the of the collisions.

2. Reactions involving (ionic, covalent) substances occur at a faster rate than reactions

involving (ionic, covalent) substances.

3. a. Increasing the concentration of one of the reactants usually (increases,

decreases) the rate of a chemical reaction by increasing the (effectiveness,

frequency) of the collisions.

b. Why does a certain mass of iron rust faster when it is broken into small pieces than it does when it is in
one piece?

c. How can the concentration of gases be increased?

4. How does increasing temperature increase reaction rate? Does it predominantly increase the frequency or
effectiveness of the collisions? Explain.

5. The minimum energy needed to initiate a chemical reaction is known as the

6. A is a substance that

a. increases the rate of a chemical reaction,

b. provides a different mechanism for a reaction with lower activation energy,

c. and is regenerated when the reaction is over.

(Continue on the back.)

7. a. Define reaction mechanism.

b. Which step in a mechanism determines the rate of a reaction.

c. In general, when does increasing the concentration of one of the reactants NOT increase the rate of
reaction?

8. A(n) is a temporary intermediate structure that represents the point of highest potential
energy on a potential energy diagram.

9. Sketch the general shape of a potential energy diagram for an exothermic reaction at the bottom of this
page and answer the following questions.

a. How does the potential energy of the products compare to the potential energy of the reactants?
(Higher, lower or the same.)

b. How does the activation energy for the reverse reaction compare to the activation energy of the
forward reaction? (Higher, lower or the same.)

c. How does the heat of reaction for the reverse reaction compare to the heat of reaction of the forward
reaction? (Explain by using more than higher, lower or the same.)

d. Use a dotted line to illustrate the effect of adding a catalyst to the reaction.

e. Which intervals are different for a catalyzed reaction than they are for an uncatalyzed reaction.
Check the correct answers.

PE of reactants
PE of products
PE of activated complex
activation energy
heat of reaction