Topic 9A
Kinetics
Kinetics is the study of how fast reactions go and why. These pages build collision theory and activation energy, show how rates are measured and calculated from graphs, explain the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution that underlies the effect of temperature, and finish with catalysts: how they lower the activation energy and why industry depends on them.
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 Maxwell–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 profiles with the intermediate, homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, and the economic and environmental benefits.
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Summary map
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Kinetics Map
Edexcel International A Level Chemistry · Unit 2 · Topic 9A 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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9.1
- a
understand the effect of changes in concentration on rate of reaction in terms of collision theory
Revise - b
understand the effect of changes in temperature on rate of reaction in terms of collision theory
Revise - c
understand the effect of changes in pressure on rate of reaction in terms of collision theory
Revise - d
understand the effect of changes in surface area on rate of reaction in terms of collision theory
Revise
9.2
- 9.2
understand that reactions take place only when collisions have sufficient energy, known as the activation energy
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9.3
9.4
- 9.4
understand qualitatively, in terms of the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of molecular energies, how changes in temperature affect the rate of a reaction
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9.5
9.6
- c
be able to include the energy level of the intermediate formed with the catalyst in a catalysed reaction profile
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9.7
- a
understand the use of catalysts in industry to make processes more sustainable by using less energy
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9.8
- 9.8
be able to interpret the action of a catalyst in terms of a qualitative understanding of the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of molecular energies
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