Kinetics

Lesson 3
Collision Theory
The Collision Theory

Link to Simulation of Molecular Motion

1. Matter is moving particles.

2. Temperature increases- particles move faster

-more collisions
-more collision energy.

3. Chemical reactions
-bonds break
-new bonds form

4. Collisions provide the energy.

Collision Theory

You need a collision to have a reaction.

Collisions provide the energy required to break bonds.

Most collisions are not successful

Collision Theory

A successful collision requires:

1. Favourable Geometry Poor Geometry

products no products
2. Sufficient Energy to break the chemical bonds

Activation energy is the minimum amount of energy required for a successful

collision.
The Collision Theory can be used to explain how the rate of a reaction can be changed.

Reaction rates can increase due to

1. More collisions

2. Harder collisions- greater collision energy

3. Lower activation energy or Ea- low energy collisions are more effective.

And that’s it!

The Collision Theory can be used to explain how the rate of a reaction can be changed.

1. Increasing the temperature increases the rate because there are:

More collisions

Harder collisions
2. Increasing the reactant concentration increases the rate because there are:

More frequent collisions

The Collision Theory can be used to explain how the rate of a reaction can be
changed.

3. Adding a catalyst

Lowers the activation energy or Ea- allowing low energy collisions to be successful

The catalyst KI is added to H2O2, food colouring, and dishwashing detergent. The O2
produced makes foam.

Movie
The Collision Theory can be used to explain how the rate of a reaction can be
changed.

4. Changing the nature of the reactant for a more reactive chemical increases
the rate

Lower activation energy or Ea- allowing low energy collisions to be successful

The Collision Theory can be used to explain how the rate of a reaction can be
changed.

5. Increasing the surface area of a solid reactant increases the rate because:

More frequent collisions

Explain each Scenario Using the Collision Theory

1. A balloon full of H2 and O2 do not react at room temperature.

Ea is too high for the room temperature collisions

A small spark ignites causes an explosion.

The spark provides the Ea and it explodes because it is exothermic

Explain each Scenario Using the Collision Theory

2. A candle does not burn at room temperature

Ea is too high for the room temperature collisions

A match causes the candle to burn

The match provides the Ea

The candle continues to burn

It burns because it is exothermic

Explain each Scenario Using the Collision Theory

3. H2O2 decomposes very slowly at room temperature.

2H2O2(aq) → O2(g) + 2H2O(l)

KI increases the reaction rate dramatically.

KI is a catalyst as it is not a reactant and it speeds up the rate.

Lowers the Ea- allows low energy collisions to be successful

Describe and Graph the Relationship between the Following

Ea and the rate

Decreasing the Ea increases the rate- inverse.

Rate

Ea
Describe and Graph the Relationship between the Following

Temperature and the rate

Increasing the temperature increases the rate- direct.

Rate

Temp
Describe and Graph the Relationship between the Following

Concentration and the rate

Increasing the concentration increases the rate- direct.

Rate

Conc
Describe and Graph the Relationship between the Following

Ea and the temperature

The only way to change the Ea is by adding a catalyst!

No relationship!

Temp

Ea
Which factors increase the percentage of successful collisions?

I. Increasing temperature

II. Increasing concentration

III. Increasing surface area

IV. Adding a catalyst