The Boltzmann Distribution

Question 1

What happens when temp increases?

Answer 1

• As temp increases the average energy of the molecules increase.
• A small proportion of molecules will still have low energy but more molecules have higher energy

Question 2

What happens at a high temp?

Answer 2

• More molecules have an energy greater than or equal to the Ea
• Thus a greater proportion of collision will lead to a reaction, increasing the ROR
• Collisions will be more frequent as the molecules are moving faster, but the increasing energy of the molecules is much more important than the increase frequency of collisions

Question 3

What is the effect of a catalyst?

Answer 3

• Provides route with lower Ea compared to the original Ea, a greater proportion of molecuels now have an energy equal to, or greater than the Ea. On collision, more molecules will react to from products.
• Results in increase of ROR.