For a reaction to occur, particles must collide with sufficient energy (≥ activation energy, Ea) and correct orientation.
Definition and Formula of Reaction Rate
\( \text{Rate} = \dfrac{\Delta [\text{concentration}]}{\Delta t} \)
Units: \(\text{mol dm}^{-3}\text{ s}^{-1}\) (or \(\text{g s}^{-1}\), \(\text{cm}^3\text{ s}^{-1}\)). Rate is always expressed as a positive quantity.
Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution
At higher temperature, the distribution shifts right and flattens - more particles have E ≥ Ea.
Area Under Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution Curves
The total area under a Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution curve represents the total number of particles in the sample. Heating a sample increases particle speeds but does not change the total number of particles; hence the area remains strictly constant while the peak shifts right and down.
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