Collision Theory

and
Rates of Reaction
 Collision Theory!
In order for a reaction to occur:

• Two reactants must collide

• Molecules should have correct orientation
• The collision must have enough energy
 What is the rate of a reaction?
• The rate of reaction is the speed at which a
reaction occurs or how fast it occurs.

• There are certain things that can impact

this rate.
Chemical nature of Reactants
 some reactants are more/less reactive than others

Families of elements
tend to undergo the
same types of
reactions, but at
different rates Gold is much less
reactive then zinc
In HCl (aq)
Concentration of Reactants
 Higher Concentration = faster reaction
• particles more likely to collide
Surface Area of Reactants
 Higher Surface Area = greater rate of reaction
• particles more likely to collide
Temperature
 Higher Temperature= greater rate of reaction
 Particles move faster, so more likely to collide
Presence of a Catalyst
 A substance that speeds up a reaction without
being a reactant or being used up
Pressure
 A higher pressure forces the particles closer
together.
•More chance of particles colliding and reacting.
Endothermic Reactions
Exothermic Reactions
The Arrhenius Equation
Taking the natural
logarithm of both sides,
the equation becomes