Topic 8
Reaction Kinetics
Topic 8 covers rate of reaction and effective collisions, the effect of concentration and pressure, calculating rate from experimental data, activation energy and the Boltzmann distribution, the effect of temperature, and catalysis: the lower-energy mechanism, its effect on the Boltzmann distribution, and reaction pathway diagrams with and without a catalyst. Rate equations and orders follow in Topic 26.
Revision Notes
4 revision notes, in the order the specification teaches them.
Collision Theory and Rates of Reaction
Collision theory: rate of reaction, activation energy, effective collisions and the effects of concentration, pressure, surface area and temperature.
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Measuring and Calculating Rates
Measuring rates: mass, gas volume and clock methods, rate = 1/time, tangents and initial rate on concentration–time graphs.
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The Maxwell–Boltzmann Distribution
The Boltzmann distribution: shape, activation energy, the effect of temperature and the effect of a catalyst on the proportion of molecules that can react.
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Catalysts and Reaction Profiles
Catalysts: lower activation energy, reaction pathway diagrams with the intermediate, homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, and the economic and environmental benefits.
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Reaction Kinetics Map
Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry · Topic 8 Reaction kinetics
The whole section on one A4 page: collision theory, concentration and pressure, surface area, measuring rates, Maxwell–Boltzmann and temperature, and catalysts, with worked examples.
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Specification
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8.1.1
8.1.2
8.1.3
8.2.1
- 8.2.1
define activation energy, EA, as the minimum energy required for a collision to be effective
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8.2.2
8.2.3
- 8.2.3
explain qualitatively, in terms both of the Boltzmann distribution and of frequency of effective collisions, the effect of temperature change on the rate of a reaction
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8.3.1
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