Collision theory of reaction

➢According to this theory, a chemical reaction takes place

only by collision between the reacting molecules. But not
all collision are effective.
➢Only a small fraction of the collision can be change
reactant into product. These collisons are called effective
collisions.

Two main criteria for the reaction are:

i. The colliding molecules must possesses sufficient

kinetic energy to cause the reaction.
ii. The reacting molecules must collide with proper
orientation.
Activation energy and Threshold energy
 ➢The excess energy which must be supplied to the reactants to
undergo chemical reactions is called activation energy
(Ea)activation energy (Ea).

➢The energy is gained by the reactant molecules by collision of

reactant molecules or absorption of heat energy from external
sources.

The minimum kinetic energy which the colliding molecules must

have in order that the collision between them may be affective is
called threshold energy threshold energy.

Threshold energy(Eth) = Energy of reactant (ER)+ Activation energy (Ea)

Ea = ETh - ER
Activated complex
It is an intermediate state that is formed during the conversion
of reactants into products.

Characteristics :
➢It is not a real molecules
➢It cannot be isolated
➢It is shown in square bracket.
➢According to the concept of activation energy, the reactants do
not change directly into the product.
➢The reactants first absorb energy equal to the activation energy
and thereby form activated complex.

➢At this state, the

molecules have energy at
least equal to the threshold
energy. This means that
the reaction involves some
energy barrier which must
be overcome before
products are formed.
➢The energy barrier is
known as activation energy
barrier
Factors Affecting the Rate of Reaction

i. Nature of reactant
ii. Surface area of reactant
iii.Concentration of reactant
iv.Temperature
v. Catalyst
vi.Radiation
vii.Pressure
1. Nature of Reactant : The molecular
reactions are generally slow while ionic
reactions are fast.
2. Surface area of reactant :
➢The larger the surface area of the reactant particles, the higher the
rate of reaction.
➢This is because the surface area exposed for collision is larger,
frequency of collision between the reactant particles increases and
hence the frequency of effective collision also increases. More
products are formed per unit time and hence the rate of reaction
increases.
➢For example, the reaction between hydrochloric acid and marble
chips(calcium carbonate) is as follow:
➢2HCl(aq) + CaCO3(s) → CaCl2(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)
➢The rate of reaction can be found by measuring the volume of CO2
gas given out per unit time. It is found that powdered marble chips
react faster than big lumps of marble chips. • This is because
powdered marble chips are smaller in size and hence have a larger
total surface area.
3. Concentration of reactant:

➢ The higher the concentration of the reactant particles,

the higher the rate of reaction.

➢ This is because in a more concentrated solution, there

are more reactant particles per unit volume. The
frequency of collision between the reactant particles
increases and hence the frequency of effective collision
also increases. More products are formed per unit time
and hence the rate of reaction is higher.
4. Temperature:
➢The rate of reaction increases with the increase in
temperature.
➢ This is because at higher temperature, the average
kinetic energy of the particles increases, which will
cause more effective collisions between reacting
molecules.
➢In fact, the rate of reaction doubles for every 10 °C
rise in temperature.
5. Catalyst : Positive catalyst increases the rate of reaction by
providing an alternative path involving lesser amount of
activation energy.

6. Pressure: The higher the pressure of the system, the higher

the rate of reaction. It is the same as the one in the effect of
concentration. However, increasing the pressure will only
increase the rate of a reaction involving gases. Changing the
pressure of a reaction which involves only solid or liquid has no
effect on it.

7.Radiation : Some chemical reactions occur with the

absorption of light or UV radiation. Such reactions are
photochemical reactions. The rate of such reaction increases
with the absorption of photon.
CATALYST
➢Catalysts are the chemical substances which alter the rate of
chemical reaction by changing the path of reaction without
undergoing any change in its mass and composition and the
process is known as catalysis.
➢A positive catalyst increases the rate of reaction by the lowering
the activation energy barrier . Ex : MnO2
➢A negative catalyst decreases the rate of reaction by increasing
the activation energy barrier. Ex : Glycerol.

Characteristics of catalysts
i. Catalysts are needed in small amounts only. This is because a
catalyst is not used up at the end of a reaction, the same
catalyst can be used to catalyse a large number of reactions.
ii. Catalysts do not initiate the reaction, they accelerate it.
iii. Catalysts are usually specific, a reaction can only be catalysed
by a specific catalyst.
iv. Most catalysts are transition metals or compounds of them
Types of catalysis:
Depending upon the phase of reaction and catalyst used, catalysis
are divided into two types :

1. Homogenous catalysis: The catalysis in the reactant and

catalyst are in same phase is called homogenous catalysis.
Fig : Energy profile diagram for catalyzed and uncatalyzed reaction
2. Heterogenous catalysis: The catalysis in the
reactant and catalyst are in different phase is
called heterogenous catalysis.
Enzyme catalyst
➢The biochemical reactions which are catalyzed by
enzyme are called enzyme catalysis.
➢Enzymes are the proteins containing nitrogenous
compounds generated by living organisms which generate
metabolic activities.

Examples :