The Collision Theory and

Activation Energy
Explaining how and why factors
affect reaction rates

The Maxwell-Boltzmann apparatus

Maxwell and Boltzmann performed an
experiment to determine the kinetic energy
distribution of atoms
Because all atoms of an element have roughly
the same mass, the kinetic energy of identical
atoms is determined by velocity (KE= mv2)

The Maxwell-Boltzmann apparatus

Maxwell and Boltzmann performed an
experiment to determine the kinetic energy
distribution of atoms
Because all atoms of an element have roughly
the same mass, the kinetic energy of identical
atoms is determined by velocity (KE= mv2)

The Maxwell-Boltzmann apparatus

Maxwell and Boltzmann performed an
experiment to determine the kinetic energy
distribution of atoms
Because all atoms of an element have roughly
the same mass, the kinetic energy of identical
atoms is determined by velocity (KE= mv2)

The Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution

The resulting disk looks like this:

Fraction of
molecules

Basically, if we plot the

intensity of the dots on a
graph we get a graph of
fraction of atoms/molecules
vs. kinetic energy:

Molecules hit
disk last

Molecules
hit disk first
Kinetic energy

Why is the graph skewed?

This curve is characteristic of all molecules

The curve is elongated due to how atoms
collide, and to the units of the graph
Recall all particles are in motion. An average
speed will be reached.
The graph is skewed because 0 is the lower
limit, but theoretically there is no upper limit
More than that the graph is skewed because
the x-axis has units of energy not velocity

velocity

KE

Same data, different

axes. E.g. v=1, KE=1
v=2, KE=4
v=3, KE=9

Temperature and reaction rate

By understanding the Maxwell-Boltzmann
distribution, we can begin to understand the
two reasons why an increase in temperature
causes an increase in reaction rate
Read pg. 754 - 755 (starting at 18.7), answer
questions 18.61 - 18.64 on pg. 773 and
Q- Look back at the five factors that affect
reaction rates. Three of these factors can be
(at least in part) explained by the collision
theory. Identify the 3 factors and explain how
the affect of each can be explained with
reference to the collision theory

Temperature and reaction rate

18.61 Rates are typically 2-3 times greater
18.62 Rate is proportional to the number of collisions
per second among reactants
18.63 reactant orientation and activation energy
18.64 This happens because a larger fraction of the
reactant molecules possess the minimum energy
necessary to surpass Ea.
A- Ability to meet (molecules that are well mixed will
have a greater chance of colliding)
Concentration of reactants (more molecules means
more collisions)
Temperature (faster moving molecules means
more collisions per unit of time). Plus

Temperature and reaction rate

Fraction of
molecules

Demonstrations: Mg + O2, H2 + O2
By increasing the temperature, a small number
of molecules reach Ea. The reaction is
exothermic, further increasing temperature and
causing more molecules to reach Ea, etc.
Draw the M-B distribution for H2 + O2 before heat
was applied. Show how heat affects the
diagram.
Shift due to higher
temperature

Kinetic energy

Ea

Transition state theory

Read remainder of 18.7 (pg. 756 757)

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