Rates of Reaction Menu

Discusses the collision theory of reaction rates, including the importance of activation energy and the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution.

Describes and explains the effect of surface area on the rate of a reaction between a solid and a liquid or a gas.

Describes and explains the effect of changing the concentration on the rate of a reaction involving liquids or gases. If you are interested in rate equations, orders of reaction and rate constants, these are explained separately – see below.

Describes and explains the effect of changing the pressure on the rate of a reaction involving gases.

Describes and explains the effect of changing the temperature on the rate of a reaction, including the importance of activation energy and the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution. The Arrhenius equation is dealt with separately – see below.

Describes and explains the effect of adding a catalyst to a reaction. This is an introductory look only. You will find a separate section dealing with catalysts in detail – link via the physical chemistry menu (see below).

An introductory look at orders of reaction, rate equations and the rate constant.

Looks at some simple cases to show how orders of reaction can sometimes give useful information about the mechanism of a reaction. Also discusses the difference between the sometimes confusing terms "order " and "molecularity " of a reaction.

Takes a closer look at simple energy profiles for reactions, and shows how they are slightly different for reactions involving an intermediate or just a transition state.

A survey of some of the methods of finding orders of reaction experimentally.

Discusses the mathematical relationship between the rate constant and temperature and activation energy.