Collision Theory, Activation Energy and Catalysts

what is the collision theory

chemical reactions can occur only when reacting particles collide with each other and with sufficient energy

what is the activation energy

the minimum amount of energy that particles must have to react

how can you increase the frequency of collisions

Increasing the:

-concentration of reactants in solution,

-the pressure of reacting gases,

-and the surface area of solid reactants

increases the frequency of collisions and so increases the rate of reaction.

how does temperature increase the rate of reaction (hint: energetic)

Increasing the temperature increases the frequency of collisions and makes the collisions more energetic, and so increases the rate of reaction.

what are catalysts

Catalysts are substances that speed up chemical reactions without being changed or used up during the reaction.

what are enzymes

Enzymes act as catalysts in biological systems

how do catalysts increase the rate of reaction

● Catalysts decrease the activation energy; this increases the proportion of particles with energy to react.

● Catalysts provide a different pathway for a chemical reaction that has a lower activation energy.