Learn Chemistry

Starter for Ten

7. Kinetics
Developed by Dr Kristy Turner, RSC School Teacher Fellow 2011-2012 at the University of Manchester,
and Dr Catherine Smith, RSC School Teacher Fellow 2011-2012 at the University of Leicester
This resource was produced as part of the National HE STEM Programme

www.rsc.org/learn-chemistry
Registered Charity Number 207890
 7. KINETICS

7.1. Collision theory

7.2. The Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution
7.2.1. Sketching Maxwell-Boltzmann
7.2.2. The importance of Maxwell-Boltzmann

Kinetics answers
 7.1. Collision theory

This question is all about the reaction between zinc metal and hydrochloric acid to produce zinc chloride and
hydrogen gas.
1. Write a balanced symbol equation for the reaction that occurs. (1 mark)

......................................................................................................................................................................

2. The reaction flasks below show the same reaction but under different conditions. The acid is in
excess in all five flasks.

1 g granular zinc, 1 g granular zinc

3 -3 3 -3
100 cm 1 mol dm 100 cm 2 mol dm
HCl HCl at 35 °C

A B
0.5 g granular zinc
3 -3
0.5 g powdered zinc 100 cm 0.5 mol dm
3
100 cm 1 mol dm
-3 HCl at 35°C
HCl at 55 °C
E
C 2 g powdered zinc
D 3
100 cm 1 mol dm
-3

HCl at 35 °C

(a) In which flask is the reaction rate the slowest? ........................................................ (1 mark)
(b) The graph below shows how the volume of hydrogen given off changed with time for the reaction
that occurred in flask A. Sketch on the same set of axes, the curves you would expect to get if you
repeated the measurements for flasks B, C, D and E.
(8 marks)
Volume of
3
H2 / cm

Flask A

Time / min

Kinetics 7.1.
 7.2.1. Sketching Maxwell-Boltzmann

1. (a) Without using your notes, sketch on the axes below the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of
molecular energies. Label this curve A. Make sure you include axes labels.
(4 marks)

(b) Add a line into the diagram to show the likely position of the activation energy for the reaction.
Label this Ea. (1 mark)

2. Now consider what would happen to the distribution if the temperature of the system was raised.
Sketch a new distribution onto the axes and label this curve B. (3 marks)

3. Using the two distributions you have drawn, explain why increasing the temperature of a reaction results
in an increase in the rate of the reaction.

......................................................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................................................

(2 marks)

Kinetics 7.2.1.
 7.2.2. The importance of Maxwell-Boltzmann

The distribution of energy amongst the particles in a gas is represented by the Maxwell Boltzmann
distribution. The key characteristics are;

1. No particles have zero energy

2. Most particles have intermediate energies
3. A few particles have very high energies indeed
4. The average energy is not the same as the most probable energy

No. of particles with energy E

1. The sketch opposite shows a typical

Maxwell Boltzmann distribution.
Indicate where on the curve each of the
above characteristics 1 - 4 is shown.

(4 marks)

Energy, E

2. Catalytic converters in cars reduce pollution by removing toxic gases

from exhaust fumes. The gases pass over a ceramic honeycomb coated
with platinum and rhodium metals. As the car warms up, the ceramic
honeycomb reaches its operating temperature and catalyses the reaction
between the gases.

(a) The distribution of energies of particles of gas at the start of the car
journey is shown on the graph below. Draw a second line on the
graph to indicate how the distribution will have changed 30 minutes
into the journey when the catalyst has reached its operating
temperature. (4 marks)

No. of particles with energy

(b) Why is it very important that

the catalytic converter reaches
its operating temperature as
quickly as possible?

(2 marks)

Ea Energy, E

Kinetics 7.2.2.
 7. Kinetics answers
7.1. Collision theory

1. Zn + 2 HCl → ZnCl2 + H2 (1 mark)

2. (a) Flask E would go the slowest. (1 mark)

Flask D
(b)
Volume of
3
H2 / cm

Flask A
Flask B

Flask C
Flask E

Time / min
(2 marks for each of the curves for flasks B, C, D and E; 1 for the correct initial gradient, 1 for the correct
finishing point)

7.2.1. Sketching Maxwell-Boltzmann

1.
No. of particles with energy E
1 mark – both axes correctly labelled
1 mark – curve starts at origin

1 mark – curve never touches x-axis

Curve B
1 mark – correct shape

1 mark – drawing of Ea

Ea Energy, E

2. For the drawing of curve B above;

1 mark – peak to the right of original curve

1 mark – peak height is lower

1 mark – approximately the same area under the two curves

Kinetics Answers
3. At a higher temperature many more of the particles will have an energy greater than the activation
energy (1 mark) resulting in a higher percentage of particle collisions resulting in a reaction (1 mark)

7.2.2. The Importance of Maxwell-Boltzmann

1. No. of particles with energy E

2

1 (4 marks)
Energy, E

2. (a) No. of particles with energy E

1 mark – approximate same area

1 mark – most probable energy is lower
and to the right

1 mark – the lines never cross

1 mark – Ea lower in energy

Ea Ea
Energy, E
(with catalyst) (no catalyst)

(b) It is important that catalytic converter reaches its operating temperature quickly because at higher
temperatures and with the catalyst active many more particles have sufficient energy to react.
Hence the catalytic converter is much more efficient (removes more polluting gases) at operating
temperature. (2 marks)

Kinetics Answers