Useful links/videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=m_9bpZep1QM

Link below: PHET reaction rates simulator, this does not work with all
browsers but is a good visual tool if you are able to use.
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/reactions-and-rates
 02/05/23

Catalysts and Activation energy

Explain catalytic action in terms of activation energy. (8)
Draw a reaction profile for a catalysed and uncatalysed reaction. (7)
Draw a reaction profile (6)
Recall the meaning of the term catalyst (5)

STARTER quiz:
1. What is a catalyst?
2. What is the name given to biological catalysts?
3. Is a catalyst used up in a chemical reaction?
4. At which of the following temperatures will particles have the greatest energy; 30 oC, 40oC or
50oC.
5. Explain your answer to question 4 referencing collision theory.
6. What is the equation used to calculate the rate of a reaction?
7. Are all collisions between particles successful?
8. Explain your answer to question 7.
9. What name is given to a reaction where the reactants have more energy than the products?
10. What name is given to a reaction where the reactants have less energy than the products?
STARTER quiz
1. What is a catalyst? Something that speeds up a
2. What is the name given to biological chemical reaction.
catalysts?
Enzyme
3. Is a catalyst used up in a chemical
reaction? No
4. At which of the following temperatures
will particles have the greatest energy; 50oC
30oC, 40oC or 50oC.
5. Explain your answer to question 4 Particles will have the most kinetic energy
referencing collision theory.
6. What is the equation used to calculate
Change in y/change in x
the rate of a reaction?
7. Are all collisions between particles
successful?
No
8. Explain your answer to question 7. Only collisions with sufficient energy and
9. What name is given to a reaction where correct alignment are successful
the reactants have more energy than the
products? Endothermic
10. What name is given to a reaction where
the reactants have less energy than the Exothermic
products?
How could you make this task easier?

Lower the
hill/slope =
less energy
required
This is what a catalyst does: catalysts
lower the bar
A catalyst lowers
the amount of
energy required
for a successful
collision to occur
 How catalysts work

Pause and note any key points.

 Key points
• Catalysts change the rate of chemical reactions but are not
used up during the reaction. Meaning they are not included
in the equation for the chemical reaction.
• Different reactions need different catalysts, the same catalyst
will not increase the rate of every reaction.
• Catalysts increase the rate of reaction by providing a different
pathway for the reaction that has a lower activation energy;
meaning a successful collision is achieved with less energy
required.
• Enzymes act as catalysts in biological systems (biological
catalysts).
Question: Biological catalysts are effected by temperature,
what temperature do you think will be their optimum?
Around 37oC, body temperature.
 Catalysts lower the activation energy
Copy this reaction profile graph and complete the missing boxes.
Stretch: is this reaction exothermic
Exothermic or endothermic?

click on the boxes to reveal

 Catalysts in action
Video until 2:10. By comparing the four reactions, we are able to
observe which catalyst increases the rate of the reaction the most.
Pause at 2:10,
which catalyst
has no effect on
the reaction rate?
Iron oxide
Note: the mass
of the catalyst
remains constant
in each example,
they are not used
as part of the
reaction.
 Explain these results
All Success criteria
8/9
Explain what a catalyst. Then
using the results table below and Predict how these results may
the key terms, describe in terms be different if a biological
of collision theory the effect the catalyst was used. Justify your
catalysts and temperature had on answer.
the rate of reaction.

Reaction conditions Time taken

Key terms…
for the
reaction (S) Catalyst Collisions
No catalyst 126 seconds
Rate of reaction Particles
Activation energy Alternative route
Catalyst: Iron chloride 17 seconds
Heating the solution to 9 seconds
50°C with iron chloride
catalyst
 Explain these results using the keywords:
All 8/9
A catalyst is a substance that As for 6/7.
increases the rate of a reaction The result for 500C would have
by lowering the activation been 126 seconds also. This is
energy for the reaction to occur, because biological catalysts
without being used up as part of (enzymes) work at temperatures
the reaction thus providing an around body temperature (370C).
alternative route. A catalyst does A t 500C they would be
this by lowering the amount of denatured (distorted) and unable
energy required for a collision to to effect the reaction.
be successful. The higher the
temperature the more kinetic Key terms…
energy the particles have, Catalyst Collisions
meaning there are more Rate of reaction Particles
successful collisions. Activation energy Alternative route
 Enzymes are denatured
Transition elements are at high temperatures
often used as catalysts

True or
False? Catalysts work by
Enzymes are not found increasing the activation
in the human body energy of a reaction
Catalysts can be reused
over and over again