Topic 2.3: Kinetics I

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You should be able to:
2.3a recall the factors which control the rate of a chemical reaction
· to include concentration, temperature, pressure, surface area and catalysis)
2.3b give an explanation of the changes in rate based on a qualitative understanding of the collision theory
· a mathematical treatment is not required)
· the rate equation and the order of a reaction are not required)
2.3c relate, in a qualitative way, the changes in the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of molecular energies with changes of temperature to the alteration in rate of reaction
2.3d understand the concept of activation energy and its qualitative relationship to the effect of temperature changes on the rate of reaction
· the Arrhenius equation is not required)
2.3e recall the role of catalysts in providing alternative reaction routes of lower activation energy
· to include reaction profiles for non-catalysed and catalysed reactions)
2.3f understand the concepts of thermodynamic and kinetic stability
· limited to a qualitative appreciation)