MYP Chemistry Topic Collision Theory Revision Notes

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MYP Chemistry Topic Collision Theory Revision Notes | RevisionDojo

What Conditions Must Be Met for Particles to React Successfully?

According to collision theory, for a chemical reaction to occur:

Particles must collide, and those collisions must be effective.

Not every collision leads to a reaction.
In fact, most do not.
Three key conditions must be satisfied.

Condition 1: Particles Must Collide

This seems obvious, but it’s fundamental:

No collision → no reaction.

Reactant particles are always moving and colliding.
Only when two (or more) reactant particles meet can a reaction even be possible.

Condition 2: Collisions Must Have Sufficient Energy

Not all collisions have enough energy to break bonds.
To react, colliding particles must have energy ≥ activation energy, $E_a$.
Activation energy ($E_a$) is the minimum energy needed to start breaking old bonds so that new ones can form.
If the particles collide with too little energy, they simply bounce off unchanged.

Analogy

If you push the ball gently, it rolls partway up the hill and comes back → no reaction.
If you push hard enough to get it over the top, it rolls down the other side → reaction occurs.
Same idea with particles: only collisions with enough energy to get over the “hill” ($E_a$) lead to products.

Hint

Key idea: Even exothermic reactions that release lots of energy still need some activation energy to get started.

Condition 3: Correct Orientation

Even if particles collide with enough energy, they must also hit in the right way.

Particles must have the correct orientation during collision.

Many molecules have specific shapes and bonding sites.
If they hit “sideways” or at the wrong angle, the bonds that need to break or form may not be properly aligned.

Analogy

Two puzzle pieces only fit together if you turn them the right way.
If they’re misaligned, they bump into each other but don’t connect—just like an ineffective collision.

Tip

Summary – Conditions for a Successful Collision

For a reaction to occur:

Particles must collide.
They must collide with enough energy ($\geq E_a$).
They must collide with the correct orientation.

Only collisions that satisfy all three conditions are called successful (effective) collisions.

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MYP Chemistry Collision Theory Notes

What Conditions Must Be Met for Particles to React Successfully?

Condition 1: Particles Must Collide

Condition 2: Collisions Must Have Sufficient Energy

Condition 3: Correct Orientation

Summary – Conditions for a Successful Collision

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What Conditions Must Be Met for Particles to React Successfully?

Condition 1: Particles Must Collide

Condition 2: Collisions Must Have Sufficient Energy

Condition 3: Correct Orientation

Summary – Conditions for a Successful Collision

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Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

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Periodic table5 subtopics

Matter5 subtopics

Types of chemical reaction18 subtopics

International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)4 subtopics

Pure and impure substances2 subtopics

The atmosphere2 subtopics

Bonding4 subtopics

MYP Chemistry Collision Theory Notes

Periodic table5 subtopics

Matter5 subtopics

Types of chemical reaction18 subtopics

International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)4 subtopics

Pure and impure substances2 subtopics

The atmosphere2 subtopics

Bonding4 subtopics

What Conditions Must Be Met for Particles to React Successfully?

Condition 1: Particles Must Collide

Condition 2: Collisions Must Have Sufficient Energy

Condition 3: Correct Orientation

Summary – Conditions for a Successful Collision

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

What Conditions Must Be Met for Particles to React Successfully?

Condition 1: Particles Must Collide

Condition 2: Collisions Must Have Sufficient Energy

Condition 3: Correct Orientation

Summary – Conditions for a Successful Collision

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account