Topics 6 & 16 : Chemical kinetics
Introduction to
Topic 6 and
Topic 16
You may have already come across the factors that affect the rate of a chemical reaction before you started the IB Diploma programme but perhaps only gained a superficial knowledge about the underlying explanations. At Standard Level the programme explains what is mean by rate of reaction and its units and why concentration, temperature, surface area and adding a suitable catalyst can all affect the rate in terms of the collision theory and the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution curves. You are also expected to understand how the rate of reaction can be determined practically by a variety of different methods. At Higher Level the importance of the rate equation and the order of reaction are stressed and students are expected to be able to propose a reaction mechanism which is consistent with the rate equation. The effect of temperature on the rate constant and the use of the Arrhenius equation to determine activation energies are also included.
Associated pages
6.1 Collision theory & rates of reaction
After studying this topic you should be able to describe kinetic theory in terms of the movement of particles whose average kinetic energy is proportional to temperature measured in Kelvin. Analyse graphical and numerical data...
16.1 Rate expression & reaction mechanism
After studying this topic you should be able to deduce the rate expression for an equation from experimental data and solve problems involving the rate expression....
16.2 Activation energy
After studying this topic you should be able to Analyse graphical representation of the Arrhenius equation in its logarithmic (linear) form ln k = –Ea/RT + ln A,. Describe the relationships between temperature and rate constant, k...
The Nature of Science
I received an e-mail from a student (not someone I teach) who asked me, "What is this nature of science business?” So what exactly does the IB mean by the Nature of Science? Essentially it covers five key points…
Topics 6 & 16
1. Maxwell-Boltzmann curve. There are many examples in Chemistry where two (or more) people are credited with discovering the same theory or process. For example Watson and Crick for the structure of DNA...