Chemical Kinetics

Examples for rate determining step

  • The rate determining step is the slowest step in a chemical reaction.
  • It determines the overall rate of the reaction.
  • The overall reaction rate cannot exceed the rate of the rate determining step. Example 1:
  • Consider the reaction A + B -> C
  • The rate determining step involves the collision of A and B to form an activated complex. Example 2:
  • In the reaction 2A + B -> C + D, the rate determining step involves the collision of two A molecules. Example 3:
  • For the reaction A + 2B -> C, the rate determining step involves the collision of one A molecule and two B molecules. Example 4:
  • In the reaction A + B -> C + D + E, the rate determining step involves the collision of one A molecule and one B molecule. Example 5:
  • For the reaction A + B + C -> D + E, the rate determining step involves the collision of one A molecule, one B molecule, and one C molecule.

Activation Energy

Explanation and Calculation

  • Activation energy (Ea) is the energy required for a reaction to occur.
  • It is the minimum energy barrier that reactant molecules must overcome to convert into products.
  • The rate of reaction is directly proportional to the activation energy. Calculating Activation Energy:
  • The Arrhenius equation relates the rate constant (k), activation energy (Ea), temperature (T), and the pre-exponential factor (A).
  • The equation is given as: k = A * e^((-Ea) / (RT)), where R is the gas constant. Example:
  • Given a reaction with a rate constant of 2.5 x 10^(-3) s^(-1) at 273 K and 1.5 x 10^(-2) s^(-1) at 303 K.
  • Using both values to calculate the activation energy, rearrange the Arrhenius equation and solve for Ea.

Rate Laws

Determining Rate Expressions

  • Rate laws describe the relationship between the rate of a reaction and the concentrations of reactants.
  • The rate law equation is written as: rate = k[A]^m[B]^n, where k is the rate constant and m and n are the reaction orders. Zero Order Reactions:
  • In a zero order reaction, the reaction rate is independent of the concentration of the reactants.
  • The rate law equation is written as: rate = k. First Order Reactions:
  • In a first order reaction, the reaction rate is directly proportional to the concentration of one reactant.
  • The rate law equation is written as: rate = k[A]. Second Order Reactions:
  • In a second order reaction, the reaction rate is directly proportional to the square of the concentration of one reactant or the product of the concentration of two reactants.
  • The rate law equation is written as: rate = k[A]^2 or rate = k[A][B].

Reaction Mechanisms

Elementary Steps and Overall Reaction

  • A reaction mechanism is a series of elementary steps that together make up the overall reaction.
  • Each elementary step involves the collision of molecules to form transient species called intermediates.
  • The overall reaction represents the sum of the elementary steps. Example: Reaction: A + B -> C Mechanism:
  1. A + B -> Intermediate 1
  1. Intermediate 1 -> C Overall Reaction:
  • The overall reaction is the sum of the elementary steps.
  • In this case, the overall reaction is A + B -> C.

Reaction Rate and Temperature

Relationship and Effect

  • The rate of a chemical reaction is influenced by temperature.
  • An increase in temperature generally increases the reaction rate.
  • This is due to an increase in the kinetic energy of the reactant molecules. Effect of Temperature on Rate:
  • Increasing the temperature leads to more frequent and forceful collisions between reactant molecules.
  • This increases the chance of effective collisions, leading to a higher reaction rate. Activation Energy and Temperature:
  • Activation energy (Ea) determines the temperature dependence of the reaction rate.
  • A higher activation energy requires a greater increase in temperature to significantly speed up the reaction rate.
  • A lower activation energy means the reaction rate is more sensitive to temperature changes.

Catalysts and Reaction Rate

Mechanism and Effect

  • A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed during the reaction.
  • Catalysts work by providing an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy.
  • This lowers the energy barrier for the reaction to occur, resulting in a faster reaction rate. Mechanism of Catalysis:
  • Catalysts provide an alternate pathway for the reaction, creating a new reaction intermediate.
  • This new intermediate has a lower energy barrier compared to the uncatalyzed reaction.
  • By providing this lower energy pathway, the catalyst increases the reaction rate. Effect of Catalysts:
  • Catalysts can significantly increase reaction rates, leading to faster reactions.
  • They can also work selectively, promoting specific reactions while leaving others unaffected.
  • Catalysts are not consumed in the reaction and can be reused.

Factors Affecting Reaction Rate

Concentration, Surface Area, and Pressure

  1. Concentration:
  • Increasing the concentration of reactants increases the rate of a reaction.
  • This is because it provides more reactant molecules, leading to more collisions and a higher chance of effective collisions.
  1. Surface Area:
  • Increasing the surface area of solid reactants increases the rate of a reaction.
  • This is because more surface area allows for more collisions with other reactant molecules.
  1. Pressure:
  • For gas-phase reactions, increasing the pressure increases the rate of reaction.
  • Higher pressure increases the number of gas molecules per unit volume, resulting in more frequent collisions and a higher chance of effective collisions.

Reaction Rate and Concentration

Kinetics and Stoichiometry

  • The rate of a reaction is directly proportional to the concentration of reactants.
  • This relationship is determined by the stoichiometric coefficients in the balanced chemical equation. Rate and Stoichiometry:
  • In a balanced chemical equation, the stoichiometric coefficients represent the ratios of reactants and products.
  • The rate of the reaction is directly related to the concentrations of the reactants involved in the rate-determining step. Example:
  • For the reaction A + 3B -> 2C, the rate expression is rate = k[A][B]^3.
  • The stoichiometric coefficients of 1 for A and 3 for B correspond to their respective powers in the rate expression.

Rate Laws and Reaction Orders

Experimental Determination

  • The rate law equation describes the relationship between the concentration of reactants and the rate of a reaction.
  • The reaction order represents the power or exponent of the concentration term in the rate law equation. Determining Reaction Order:
  • The reaction order for each reactant can be determined experimentally.
  • This is done by varying the concentration of one reactant while keeping the others constant and measuring the corresponding change in rate. Method of Initial Rates:
  • The initial rates of the reaction are measured for different reactant concentrations.
  • The reaction order can be determined by comparing the change in rate with the corresponding change in concentration.

Integrated Rate Laws

Relation between Concentration and Time

  • Integrated rate laws show the relationship between the concentration of reactants and products over a certain period of time.
  • They are derived from the rate laws and help determine the reaction order and rate constant. Zero Order Reactions:
  • In a zero order reaction, the concentration of the reactant decreases linearly with time.
  • The integrated rate law equation is written as: [A] = [A]0 - kt. First Order Reactions:
  • In a first order reaction, the concentration of the reactant decreases exponentially with time.
  • The integrated rate law equation is written as: ln[A] = -kt + ln[A]0. Second Order Reactions:
  • In a second order reaction, the concentration of the reactant decreases with time, following an inverse relationship.
  • The integrated rate law equation is written as: 1/[A] = kt + 1/[A]0.

Half-Life of Reactions

Time for Half of Reactant to React

  • Half-life is the time required for half of the reactant to undergo reaction.
  • It is a useful parameter to understand the rate of a reaction and compare different reactions. Zero Order Reactions:
  • In a zero order reaction, the half-life is inversely proportional to the initial concentration.
  • The equation for the half-life is t1/2 = [A]0 / 2k. First Order Reactions:
  • In a first order reaction, the half-life is a constant and does not depend on the initial concentration.
  • The equation for the half-life is t1/2 = 0.693 / k. Second Order Reactions:
  • In a second order reaction, the half-life is inversely proportional to the initial concentration squared.
  • The equation for the half-life is t1/2 = 1 / (k[A]0).

Chemical Kinetics

Examples for rate determining step

  • The rate determining step is the slowest step in a chemical reaction.
  • It determines the overall rate of the reaction.
  • The overall reaction rate cannot exceed the rate of the rate determining step. Example 1:
  • Consider the reaction A + B -> C
  • The rate determining step involves the collision of A and B to form an activated complex. Example 2:
  • In the reaction 2A + B -> C + D, the rate determining step involves the collision of two A molecules. Example 3:
  • For the reaction A + 2B -> C, the rate determining step involves the collision of one A molecule and two B molecules. Example 4:
  • In the reaction A + B -> C + D + E, the rate determining step involves the collision of one A molecule and one B molecule. Example 5:
  • For the reaction A + B + C -> D + E, the rate determining step involves the collision of one A molecule, one B molecule, and one C molecule.

Activation Energy

Explanation and Calculation

  • Activation energy (Ea) is the energy required for a reaction to occur.
  • It is the minimum energy barrier that reactant molecules must overcome to convert into products.
  • The rate of reaction is directly proportional to the activation energy. Calculating Activation Energy:
  • The Arrhenius equation relates the rate constant (k), activation energy (Ea), temperature (T), and the pre-exponential factor (A).
  • The equation is given as: k = A * e^((-Ea) / (RT)), where R is the gas constant. Example:
  • Given a reaction with a rate constant of 2.5 x 10^(-3) s^(-1) at 273 K and 1.5 x 10^(-2) s^(-1) at 303 K.
  • Using both values to calculate the activation energy, rearrange the Arrhenius equation and solve for Ea.

Rate Laws

Determining Rate Expressions

  • Rate laws describe the relationship between the rate of a reaction and the concentrations of reactants.
  • The rate law equation is written as: rate = k[A]^m[B]^n, where k is the rate constant and m and n are the reaction orders. Zero Order Reactions:
  • In a zero order reaction, the reaction rate is independent of the concentration of the reactants.
  • The rate law equation is written as: rate = k. First Order Reactions:
  • In a first order reaction, the reaction rate is directly proportional to the concentration of one reactant.
  • The rate law equation is written as: rate = k[A]. Second Order Reactions:
  • In a second order reaction, the reaction rate is directly proportional to the square of the concentration of one reactant or the product of the concentration of two reactants.
  • The rate law equation is written as: rate = k[A]^2 or rate = k[A][B].

Reaction Mechanisms

Elementary Steps and Overall Reaction

  • A reaction mechanism is a series of elementary steps that together make up the overall reaction.
  • Each elementary step involves the collision of molecules to form transient species called intermediates.
  • The overall reaction represents the sum of the elementary steps. Example: Reaction: A + B -> C Mechanism:
  1. A + B -> Intermediate 1
  1. Intermediate 1 -> C Overall Reaction:
  • The overall reaction is the sum of the elementary steps.
  • In this case, the overall reaction is A + B -> C.

Reaction Rate and Temperature

Relationship and Effect

  • The rate of a chemical reaction is influenced by temperature.
  • An increase in temperature generally increases the reaction rate.
  • This is due to an increase in the kinetic energy of the reactant molecules. Effect of Temperature on Rate:
  • Increasing the temperature leads to more frequent and forceful collisions between reactant molecules.
  • This increases the chance of effective collisions, leading to a higher reaction rate. Activation Energy and Temperature:
  • Activation energy (Ea) determines the temperature dependence of the reaction rate.
  • A higher activation energy requires a greater increase in temperature to significantly speed up the reaction rate.
  • A lower activation energy means the reaction rate is more sensitive to temperature changes.

Catalysts and Reaction Rate

Mechanism and Effect

  • A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed during the reaction.
  • Catalysts work by providing an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy.
  • This lowers the energy barrier for the reaction to occur, resulting in a faster reaction rate. Mechanism of Catalysis:
  • Catalysts provide an alternate pathway for the reaction, creating a new reaction intermediate.
  • This new intermediate has a lower energy barrier compared to the uncatalyzed reaction.
  • By providing this lower energy pathway, the catalyst increases the reaction rate. Effect of Catalysts:
  • Catalysts can significantly increase reaction rates, leading to faster reactions.
  • They can also work selectively, promoting specific reactions while leaving others unaffected.
  • Catalysts are not consumed in the reaction and can be reused.

Factors Affecting Reaction Rate

Concentration, Surface Area, and Pressure

  1. Concentration:
  • Increasing the concentration of reactants increases the rate of a reaction.
  • This is because it provides more reactant molecules, leading to more collisions and a higher chance of effective collisions.
  1. Surface Area:
  • Increasing the surface area of solid reactants increases the rate of a reaction.
  • This is because more surface area allows for more collisions with other reactant molecules.
  1. Pressure:
  • For gas-phase reactions, increasing the pressure increases the rate of reaction.
  • Higher pressure increases the number of gas molecules per unit volume, resulting in more frequent collisions and a higher chance of effective collisions.

Reaction Rate and Concentration

Kinetics and Stoichiometry

  • The rate of a reaction is directly proportional to the concentration of reactants.
  • This relationship is determined by the stoichiometric coefficients in the balanced chemical equation. Rate and Stoichiometry:
  • In a balanced chemical equation, the stoichiometric coefficients represent the ratios of reactants and products.
  • The rate of the reaction is directly related to the concentrations of the reactants involved in the rate-determining step. Example:
  • For the reaction A + 3B -> 2C, the rate expression is rate = k[A][B]^3.
  • The stoichiometric coefficients of 1 for A and 3 for B correspond to their respective powers in the rate expression.

Chemical Kinetics

Examples for rate determining step

  • The rate determining step is the slowest step in a chemical reaction.
  • It determines the overall rate of the reaction.
  • The overall reaction rate cannot exceed the rate of the rate determining step. Example 1:
  • Consider the reaction A + B -> C.
  • The rate determining step involves the collision of A and B to form an activated complex. Example 2:
  • In the reaction 2A + B -> C + D, the rate determining step involves the collision of two A molecules. Example 3:
  • For the reaction A + 2B -> C, the rate determining step involves the collision of one A molecule and two B molecules. Example 4:
  • In the reaction A + B -> C + D + E, the rate determining step involves the collision of one A molecule and one B molecule. Example 5:
  • For the reaction A + B + C -> D + E, the rate determining step involves the collision of one A molecule, one B molecule, and one C molecule.

Activation Energy

Explanation and Calculation

  • Activation energy (Ea) is the energy required for a reaction to occur.
  • It is the minimum energy barrier that reactant molecules must overcome to convert into products.
  • The rate of reaction is directly proportional to the activation energy. Calculating Activation Energy:
  • The Arrhenius equation relates the rate constant (k), activation