Finals Lesson 4: Activation Energy and How Catalyst Affects Rate of Reaction and Its Types

LEARNING COMPETENCY:

 Explain activation energy and how a catalyst affects the rate of reaction (STEM_GC11CKIIIi-j-137)
 Cite and differentiate the types of catalysts (STEM_GC11CKIIIi-j-138)

OBJECTIVES: At the end of the module, learners will be able to

1. define activation energy conceptually

2. explain activation energy and how a catalyst affects the reaction rate
3. identify the different types of catalyst; and
4. describe the characteristics of catalyst and catalyzed reaction

CONTENT:

The collision theory of reaction rates is based on the fact that in order for reactions to take place
the reacting molecules must collide in a proper geometric orientation and must have sufficient energy to
overcome the energy barrier, called the activation energy. This is the minimum energy required to
initiate a chemical reaction.

Activation Energy

One thing to consider in a chemical reaction is to think that reactions are taking place due to the
collision of particles, resulting in the breaking of some chemical bonds of the reactants and the creation
of new bonds of the products. However, the only collisions that are effective are those in which the
colliding particles have sufficient energy. And this energy necessary for an effective collision is known as
activation energy and it is abbreviated as Ea.

Since the collision of molecules is related to the kinetic energy of molecules, and kinetic energy
is affected by temperature, we can also include the idea of activation energy on an enthalpy diagram
that shows the course of a reaction
Catalyst

Catalysts are substances that alter the rate of chemical reactions without being chemically
changed themselves. Since catalysts are not used up in the reaction, it is cheaper to use a catalyst to
speed up a reaction than by using high temperature and pressure They provide a new pathway for the
reaction with a lower activation energy.

This figure shows that the reaction without catalyst (violet) has a larger activation energy as
compared to the reaction with catalyst (red). This simply means that the reaction rate can be hasten
in a catalyzed reaction due to a lower activation energy.

Reactions with lower activation energy, due to the presence of catalyst will speed up the rate of
reaction. Increase in the reaction rate for this matter is due to the fact that more particles had an
enough energy to overcome the energy barrier, thus they were able to have an effective collision.
Enzymes are examples of catalyst.

Enzymes are essential catalysts in biological systems. These are biological proteins that are vital
to most life. Enzymes have wide applications even in industrial processes.

Biological detergents are examples of the use of enzymes. These detergents may contain
amylases for the decomposition of starch, proteases for proteins, and lipases for fats and oils.
Types of Catalysis

1. Homogeneous catalysis refers to reactions where the catalyst is in the same phase as the
reactants. An example of this type of catalysis ivolving liquid in the conversion of persulphate
and iodine into sulphate ion and iodine: (S 2O8 2- + 2I-  2SO42 + I2 )

2. Heterogeneous catalysis, when the catalyst and the reactant are in different phases. For
example, the catalyst might be in solid phase while the reactant is in liquid or gas phase, like the
catalytic converter in gasoline or diesel-fueled cars (Oxidation of hydrocarbons (unburnt and
partially burned fuel) to carbon dioxide and water.

3. Heterogenization method of homogeneouscatalytic system is the application of two liquid

phases with no limited or temperature regulated miscibility of two phases or a solid phase in the
liquid phase. It is a modification of homogeneous catalyst to “break” the uniformity among the
molecules of catalyst and the product(s) by rendering them in separable phases to allow their
separation. An example of heterogenized homogeneous catalytic reaction.

Immobilization of a water- soluble phosphine by hydrogen bonding of the

hydrated sodium-sulfonate groups to the surface of silica.
4. Biocatalyst is a substance, such as enzymes or hormone, that initiates or increases the rate of
chemical reaction. An enzyme is a biological catalyst that accelerates a chemical reaction
without altering its equilibrium. Enzymes are present in the body and are responsible for
reaction that extract energy from food we eat. They increase the speed of reaction essential to
life. Without these enzymes, reactions would occur extremely slowly and life may not be
possible. General example of biocatalyst being the yeast-mediated transformation of sugar into
alcohol, acids, or gases.
Other types of catalyst are the following:

1. Positive catalyst, decreases the activation energy by accepting an alternative path for the
reaction to occur. The rate of reaction is decreased. Some reaction uses positive catalyst.
Example: 2KClO3  2KCl(s) + 3O2(g).

2. Negative catalyst, decreases or slows down the rate of reaction in rusting, or decomposition of
certain substances and aging. The negative catalyst is known as inhibitors.
Example: 2H2O(l)  2H2O(l) + O2(g).

3. Auto-catalyst-the products formed in the reaction act as a catalyst for the reaction to proceed.
Process Catalyst
ammonia synthesis iron
sulfuric acid manufacture nitrogen(II) oxide, platinum
cracking of petroleum zeolites
hydrogenation of unsaturated hydrocarbons nickel, platinum, or palladium

4. Induced catalyst is a substance that influences the speed of reaction which is not possible under
ordinary condition. A chemical reaction that increases the rate of another chemical reaction is
called induced catalysis. (Example: Sodium arsenite solution is not oxidized by air). Thus the
oxidation of sodium arsenite is induced by oxidation of sodium sulphite.
References:

1. Bayquen, A. et al (2016). General Chemistry 2 (First Ed.). Phoenix Publishing Corp. Quezon City,
Phils.