Topic 9
Kinetics I
Topic 9 explains how fast reactions go and why: collision theory and activation energy, calculating rates from times and from gradients, the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution and the effect of temperature, and catalysts, their reaction profiles, heterogeneous catalysis at surfaces and their economic benefits. Kinetics II (rate equations) follows in Topic 16.
Revision Notes
Reaction
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.
Start revisingRates
Measuring and Calculating Rates
Measuring rates: mass, gas volume and clock methods, rate = 1/time, tangents and initial rate on concentration–time graphs.
Start revisingBoltzmann
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.
Start revisingCatalysts and Reaction Profiles
Catalysts: lower activation energy, reaction profiles with the intermediate, homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, and the economic and environmental benefits.
Start revisingTopic 9 Kinetics I – Edexcel A Level Chemistry
The following specification points outline the knowledge and skills students are expected to demonstrate. Wording follows the Edexcel A Level Chemistry (9CH0) specification.
Kinetics I
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