Collision Theory Reaction Rates Equilibrium

How can you increase the rate (speed) of a chemical reaction?

Collision Theory
According to the collision theory, atoms, ions, and molecules can react to form products when they collide, provided they have enough kinetic energy

Collision Theory
Effective Collision

Ineffective Collision

Activation Energy
The minimum amount of energy for a reaction to occur is called the activation energy (Ea). The rates of the reactions vary depending upon the amount of energy needed to reach the activation energy.

Collision Theory and Activation Energy

Reaction Rates
Temperature
Increasing the temperature usually speeds up chemical reactions, while lowering the temperature decreases the reaction rate. Increasing the temperature increases the kinetic energy within the system to allow for more reactants to reach the activation energy and form products.
Example- Lab: Reaction Rates

Reaction Rates
Concentration
Having more particles present increases the chance of a collision occurring. Therefore more of a chance to form the product (if there is enough energy)
Example: Blind-folded Students

Reaction Rates
Particle Size
The smaller the particle the more surface area exposed, therefore more of an opportunity for a collision to occur with another particle
Example: Lycopodium

Reaction Rates
Catalyst
A substance used to increase the rate of reaction by lowering the activation energy
It is not used up in the reaction
Example: Hydrogen peroxide and Manganese (IV) oxide 2 H2O2(l) 2 H2O(l) + O2(g)

Catalysts

Catalysts/Enzymes
Enzymes are a form of catalyst that are composed of proteins.
They are important for many bodily functions to reduce the amount of energy needed for an important reaction to occur in your body
Examples: Catalase, Lactase, etc.

Reversible Reactions
The reaction occurs simultaneously in both directions. When both the forward and reverse reactions are occurring at the same time, it has reached chemical equilibrium. The equilibrium position is given by the relative concentrations of the systems components at equilibrium.

Factors Affecting Equilibrium: Le Chaterliers Principle

If a stress is applied to a system in dynamic equilibrium, the system changes to relieve the stress.
Concentration Temperature Pressure

Equilibrium Constants
The equilibrium constant is the ratio of product concentration to reactant concentration at equilibrium. It shows at equilibrium which reaction is favored.

aA + bB cC + dD
[Products] [C]c [D]d Keq = = [Reactants] [A]a [B]b
If Keq > 1 the reaction favors the product at equilibrium If Keq < 1 the reaction favors the reactants at equilibrium