Chemical Kinetics (Chemistry 30 website is your study resource)

 

Learning (Test Focus) Objectives:

 

Examine the factors which influence reaction rates in the context of the collision theory.

• Suggest some ways in which the rate of a chemical reaction could be measured.
• Identify some factors which affect the rate of chemical reactions.
• Apply collision theory to account for the factors which affect the rates of chemical reactions.
• Recognize that chemical reactions may occur in successive elementary steps.
• Understand how a series of simple reactions can constitute a reaction mechanism for a complex reaction.
• Given a reaction mechanism, be able to identify any intermediates and catalysts, and determine the slowest (rate determining) step.
• Given reaction concentration data, be able to calculate the rate of a reaction.

Consider molecular level events in a chemical reaction.

• Discuss the concept of threshold energy.
• Interpret energy versus reaction pathway diagrams.
• Explain the role of catalysts in chemical reactions.
• Interpret energy versus reaction pathway diagrams for catalyzed and un-catalyzed reactions.
• Given several examples of chemical reactions, be able to predict which reaction is the slowest and which is the fastest.

Key Terms you must know…

activated complex
activation energy
catalyst
chemical kinetics
collision theory
enzyme
inhibitor
rate-determining step
reaction mechanism
reaction rate

threshold energy
transition state