molecular polarity & collision theory

polar substance

• strong attraction between the molecules

• partially positive and negative ends

nonpolar substance

• attraction is minimal

• no positive or negative ends

dipole moments - positive end and negative end

COLLISION THEORY

• atoms, ions, and molecules must collide in order to react

• reaction rates differ for different reactions

  • not all collisions results to chemical reaction

• proposed by max trauts (german) in 1916 and william lewis (british) in 1918

• states that the reacting particles can form products when they collide with one another provided those collisions have enough kinetic energy and the correct orientation

what determines if a collision is successful?

• must have enough energy (speed or KE)

• lack of necessary KE may collide, but particles will simply bounce off one another unchanged

• minimum amount of energy is called (Ea)

  • (Ea) breaks the existing bonds and form new bonds

• must collide at the correct angles