11.

2 Collision Theory
Objectives
At the end of the lesson the students should be
able to:
1. explain reaction rates in terms of collision
theory.
2. identify factors affecting the effectiveness of
collision.
3. define activation energy.
4. Define and state the characteristics of an
activated complex
 Collision Theory
• Collision Theory is the theory to explain the rate of
chemical reactions. It is based on;

Number of effective collisions

Rate ∝
time

1- molecule must collide to react

2- molecules must possess a certain minimum kinetic energy
(activation energy) to initiate the chemical reaction.
• 3- molecule must collide in the right orientation in order
for the reaction to occur.

• Only effective collisions cause formation of product;

collisions of molecules with Ea and at correct orientation.
• The activation energy (Ea) is the minimum energy that
must be supplied or required by collisions for a reaction to
occur.
The activation energy (Ea)

…..is the minimum

energy is required
to initiate the
chemical reaction.
 Importance of Orientation

Orientationisunimportant Orientationisimportant
Importance of Orientation

Orientationisimportant
 Transition State Theory

• The configuration of the atoms of the

colliding species at the time of the collision is
called the transition state.
• Species formed at transition state is called
activated complex.
 Characteristics of Activated Complex

• Very unstable i.e. It has a short half-life.

• Its potential energy is greater than reactants or
products.
• The activated complex and the reactants are in
chemical equilibrium.
• It decomposes to form products or reactants.
Potential energy
- A reaction profile shows
potential energy plotted as a
function of the progress of the
reaction.
Ea - The difference in potential
Reactant energies between the
products and the reactants is
-∆ H for the reaction.
∆H - Reactant molecules must
have enough energy to
overcome an energy barrier
separating products from
product reactants, Ea.

Progress of reaction
A Reaction Profile: exothermic reaction

Activated complex
Transition state

Ea (Forward reaction)
Ea (reverse reaction)

∆H

CO(g) + NO2(g) CO2(g) + NO(g)

A Reaction Profile for endothermic process
activated complex.

Ea
(reverse reaction)

Ea
(forward reaction)

Product

∆ H

Reactant
A Reaction profile: endothermic reaction

Ea

∆H

2NOCl → 2NO + Cl2

Example:
1. For the reaction A + B C + D , the enthalphy change of
the forward reaction is + 21 kJ/mol. The activation energy of
the forward reaction is 84 kJ/mol.
a) What is activation energy of the reverse reaction?
b) Sketch the reaction profile of this reaction

2. Draw a potential energy diagram for an exorthermic reaction.

Indicate on the drawing:
a) Potential energy of the reactants and the products
b) The activation energy for the forward and the reverse
reaction
c) The heat of the reaction