Question
Question: How does collision theory relate to the rate of a chemical reaction?...
How does collision theory relate to the rate of a chemical reaction?
Solution
First of all , here we need a clear idea about colliding particles and that of their orientation. Their arrangement or orientation which is set up in a favourable manner should be necessary for the rearrangement of atoms and electrons. Next we have to know that according to collision theory , the particular rate at which a chemical reaction proceeds will be equal to frequency of effective collision.
Complete answer:
First of all we need to remind some basic general statements regarding collision theory.
Actually collision theory states about chemical reactions which occur by collision between molecules and atoms. So it implies that the rate will determine its collision.
Thus it means that if more collision takes place , the rate of chemical reactions will be faster.
Next, we can explain the factors determining collision theory and its rate dependency as asked in question.
Collision theory states that chemical reactions can only occur if there are collisions that take place at right energy levels between atoms and molecules.
This theory also mentions that if the particular molecules are colliding at more frequency , it in turns increases the reaction rate as stated before.
Also , another fact here exists is when temperature becomes higher , atoms and molecules possess more kinetic energy as the molecules or atoms move so faster. This faster movement increases the collision rate and thus increases the rate of reaction.
Next, if we take the case of a catalyst, they are the ones who can alter a chemical reaction. Here in case of collision theory catalysts can lower the energy which is required for the collision to affect a particular chemical reaction. Therefore, a catalyst can thus increase the rate of a reaction.
In this way collision theory is related to the rate of chemical reaction.
Note: Actually to deal with this question we have to know in detail about the collision theory. We should know as then only it helps us to relate and explain the effects of physical state , temperature and that of concentration on reaction. The collision theory is not only explaining the reaction rate but it also defines the concepts of activation energy and transition state too. One major point we need to remember here is that with an increase of concentration of a reacting substance , the chances of collision between molecules is also increased and moreover that a more collision is actually determining a faster reaction rate.