CIE A Level Chemistry

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Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2020

Last exams 2024

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1.8.1 Collision Theory

Test Yourself

Rate of Reaction: Collision Theory

Reaction rate

  • The rate of a reaction is the speed at which a chemical reaction takes place and has units mol dm-3 s-1
  • The rate of a reaction can be calculated by:

rate-of-reaction-equation-

Worked example: Calculating the rate of reaction

Reaction Kinetics Worked example - Calculating the rate of reaction, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Answer

  • Step 1: Calculate the amount of ethyl ethanoate formed in mol

Rate of Reaction Collision Theory Answer Step 1 equation 1

Rate of Reaction Collision Theory Answer Step 1 equation 2

= 0.0005 mol

  • Step 2: Calculate the volume of the reaction mixture in dm3

400 cm3 = 0.400 dm3

  • Step 3: Calculate the concentration change of product formed

Rate of Reaction Collision Theory Answer Step 3 equation 1

Rate of Reaction Collision Theory Answer Step 3 equation 2

= 0.00125 mol dm-3

  • Step 4: Calculate the time in seconds

1.0 min = 60.0 s

  • Step 5: Use the equation to calculate the rate

Rate of Reaction Collision Theory Answer Step 5 equation 1

Rate of Reaction Collision Theory Answer Step 5 equation 2

= 2.08 x 10-5 mol dm-3 s-1

Collision theory

  • The collision theory states that for a chemical reaction to take place the particles need to collide with each other in the correct orientation and with enough energy
  • The minimum energy that colliding particles must have for a collision to be successful and a reaction to take place is called the activation energy (Ea)

Collision theory table

Reaction Kinetics Table 1_Rate of Reaction Collision Theory, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

  • An ineffective collision is when particles collide in the wrong orientation or when they don’t have enough energy and bounce off each other without causing a chemical reaction

 

Reaction Kinetics Effective and Non-Effective Collisions, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

(a) shows an ineffective collision due to the particles not having enough energy whereas (b) shows an effective collision where the particles have the correct orientation and enough energy for a chemical reaction to take place

Increase in reaction rate

  • The collision frequency is the number of collisions per unit time
  • When more collision per unit time take place, the number of particles with energy greater than the Ea increases
  • This causes an increase in rate of reaction
  • A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of reaction without taking part in the chemical reaction by providing the particles an alternative mechanism with a lower activation energy

Reaction Kinetics Catalyst Activation Energy, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Diagram shows that a catalyst increases the rate of a reaction by providing an alternative pathway which has a lower activation energy

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Author: Francesca

Fran studied for a BSc in Chemistry with Forensic Science, and since graduating taught A level Chemistry in the UK for over 11 years. She studied for an MBA in Senior Leadership, and has held a number of roles during her time in Education, including Head of Chemistry, Head of Science and most recently as an Assistant Headteacher. In this role, she used her passion for education to drive improvement and success for staff and students across a number of subjects in addition to Science, supporting them to achieve their full potential. Fran has co-written Science textbooks, delivered CPD for teachers, and worked as an examiner for a number of UK exam boards.