Unit 1: Reaction Kinetics

- The study of reaction rates and factors that affect rxn rates

Expressing Rates

△ amount
Rate = △ time

- Numerator is either product formed or reactant consumes

- Denominator is always △ time

Ex. Zn(s )+ 2 HCl(aq)→ H 2 (g)+ZnC l 2 (aq)

Δ mass Zn Δ volume H 2(g)
r= r=
Δ time Δt
Δ[ HCl] Δ pressure
r= r= Pressure is from H 2 (g)
Δt Δ time
Methods of Monitoring Rxns

1. Color Change
- Spectrophotometer
2. Temperature Change
- Enthalpy changes
3. Pressure / Volume Changes
- Gases only
4. Mass Changes

H2

Open

270.50 g

2 Al ( s)+6 HCl →3 H 2 (g)+2 AlC l3 (aq)

- Hydrogen escapes
- Mass decreases
Try Page
2: #1-9

Factors Affecting Rxn Rates

Heterogenous
- Reactants are in more than 1 phase
Homogenous
- Reactants are all in the same phase

1. Temperature
↑ temp=↑ rxn rate

2. Concentration ( mol / L )
↑ concentration[ ]=↑ rxn rate
* Aq. solutions and gases only
3. Pressure / Volume
* gases only
↑ Volume=↓ Pressure
↓ Volume=↑ Pressure=↑ Rate

4. Nature of the Reactants

- Not state (s, l, g, aq)
- Depends on the # and type of bonds present
* In general, covalent bonds are strong

Ex. C 3 H 8 +5 H 2 O→ 3 C O2 (g)+ 4 H 2 O(g)

*Slow
HH
H-C-C-C-H O=O
HH
−¿(aq) →NaCl (aq) ¿

N a+¿(aq)+C l ¿

* Fast
Pb(s)+S (s)→ PbS(s)

Pg. 7 Try: #10-11

5. Catalysts
- Provides an alternative route for the rxn to proceed requiring less energy
Inhibitors can reduce rxn rates
 6. Surface Area
*** heterogenous rxns only

↑ Surface Area=↑ Rate

Try: Pg. 8 #12-14 and Pg. 9-10 #15-17*

3 S rCl 2(aq)+2 Fe ¿
Formula Equation↑

Total Ionic Equation:

- Break all aqueous species into the component ions
- (mole ratio, charges,states)
−¿ (aq )¿
3+¿ (aq )+6 Cl ¿
−¿( aq)+ 2F e ¿
2+¿ (aq )+6 N O ¿
3
−¿ (aq )→ 3S r ¿
3+¿ (aq )+6N O ¿
−¿(aq)+ 2 Fe 3
¿
2+¿(aq)+6 C l ¿
3S r

Net Ionic Equation↓

***Exactly equal terms cancel out if in the same state*** (these are called spectator
ions)
=0
Ex .3 S r 2+¿(aq)¿on reactants side cancels out with 3 S r 2+¿(aq)¿on the product side, so all
these terms cancel out

Enthalpy ( H )

- The total potential ( Ep ) and kinetic ( Ek ) energy in a system

Pg. 13

Ep :
- The position of a particle in space
- The sum of all the attractive and repulsive forces within a molecule (electrostatic
forces)

Ek:
- Energy of movement through space or the system
- Movement of individual atoms within a molecule

Enthalpy Changes ( ΔH )

Δ H =H products −H reactants

Exothermic Rxn

reactants

H H
(KJ)
products

Rxn coordinate

- Gives off heat, therefore, rxn feels warm

- Products have less energy, therefore, are more stable
- Δ H is always negative
Ex. H 2 (g)+Cl2 (g)→2 HCl(g)+¿184 kJ
Thermochemical
H 2 (g)+Cl2 (g)→2 HCl(g);ΔH = -184 kJ
 Endothermic Rxn
products

H H
(kJ)

reactants

Rxn coordinate

Endo rxns:
- Require input of heat energy to react. Therefore, surroundings will feel cold
- Products have more energy than reactants
- Products are less stable
- ΔH is always positive

N 2 (g)+O2 (g)+164 kJ → 2 N 2 O(g)

N 2 (g)+O2 (g)→ 2 N 2 O(g); Δ H =164 kJ

Try: Pg.
16, #24-28

Activation Energy, Ea
 - The minimum amount of energy required for a successful collision (reaction)

Exothermic Rxn

Activated Complex
R E High
energy
Highly
H
(KJ
P

Rxn coordinate

High energy = Least stable = Short lived

 Activated Complex
(Really high Ep)

A.C. starts and breaks

into product molecules

Ep as bonds
are distorted
Products: Ep

Reactants move
closer together

Ek

Ep

−¿¿
e from one atom are attracted to the nucleus of another atom AND
repealed by the e−¿¿ of the other atom
For a rxn collision to be successful, reactant molecules must have:

1. Sufficient energy, Ea
2. Correct orientation ( collision geometry )

Ex. H 2 +C l 2 → 2 HCl

Incorrect geometry: Requires more energy to form activated complex

Activated

Ea (f)

Ea (r)

Activation energy
for reverse rxn

P R

Ex. If Δ H =−15 KJ and Ea(f )=40 KJ , find Ea(r)

Page 25 question 42 to 45

Reactants + 25 KJ →products E a r=10 KJ

Draw an Ep diagram for this reactants

Rxn Mechanisms

4 HBr+O2 → 2 H 2 O+2 B r 2

Steps: elementary processes

HBr +O2 → HOOBR ( Slow )

HOOBR+ HBr → 2 HOBr ( Fast)
2 HOBr+ 2 HBr → H 2 O+ B r 2 ( Very Fast )

Rxn Intermediate - Species produced in one step then used up in a later

step ( cancels out )

Catalyst - reactant in 1 step and product in a later step

Rate determining step - slowest step in the rxn mechanism

Given the elementary processes, find the overall rxn

2 NO+ H 2 → N 2+ H 2 O2
H 2 O 2+ H 2 → 2 H 2 O
2 NO+2 H 2 → N 2 +2 H 2 O

A rxn is known to have a 3 step mechanism.

1. 2 NO → N 2 O2
 2. N 2 O2+O2 → N 2 O4
3. N 2 O4 →2 N O2
2 NO+O2 →2 N O2
The overall is 2 NO+O2 →2 N O2. Find the 2nd step

Try:
Pg. 28 #46-53

HBr +O2 → HOOBR

HOOBR+ HBr → 2 HOBr
2 HOBr+ 2 HBr → 2 H 2 O+2 B r 2
4 HBr+O2=2 H 2 O+2 B r 2

Rxn Intermediates: HOOBr and HOBr

Rate determining step: Slowest step

Catalysts

- A substance that provides a rxn with an alternative mechanism with a lower

activation energy
 Uncatalyzed rxn

Ea

Ep Enthalpy of products and

reactants is unchanged
Ea is
decreased

Rxn Coord

Uses of
Catalysts pg. 34-35