UNITS 6&16 KINETICS

Essential ideas

• The greater the probability that molecules will collide with sufficient energy and proper orientation, the higher the rate of reaction.
• Rate expressions can only be determined empirically and these limit possible reaction mechanisms. In particular cases, such as a linear chain of elementary reactions, no equilibria and only one significant activation barrier, the rate equation is equivalent to the slowest step of the reaction.
• The activation energy of a reaction can be determined from the effect of temperature on reaction rate.