Kinetics
It should cause us no small wonderment that atoms, molecules, or ions must needs enter into collision before they may effect a mutual reaction. Indeed, such particles must be brought into most intimate proximity if chemical bonds are to be established between them. This elementary premise serveth as the very foundation for a most potent theory, which seeketh to elucidate numerous observations appertaining to chemical kinetics, including those diverse agencies which govern the velocity of a reaction.
Chemical Reaction Rates
Upon the conclusion of this section, the pupil shall be rendered capable of the following: • To define, with precision, the rate of a chemical reaction; • To derive expressions for the rate from the balanced equation of any given chemical transformation; • To calculate the velocity of such reactions from data obtained through experimental observation.
Factors Affecting Reaction Rates
Upon the conclusion of this section, the pupil shall be rendered capable of the following: • To describe the effects of chemical nature, physical state, temperature, concentration, and catalysis upon the velocity of chemical reactions.
Rate Laws
Upon the conclusion of this section, the pupil shall be rendered capable of the following: • To explain the form and function of a rate law; • To employ rate laws in the calculation of reaction velocities; • To utilize data appertaining to rate and concentration for the identification of reaction orders and the derivation of rate laws.
Integrated Rate Laws
Upon the conclusion of this section, the pupil shall be rendered capable of the following: • To explain the form and function of an integrated rate law; • To perform integrated rate law calculations for reactions of the zero, first, and second order; • To define the term half-life and carry out such calculations as may be related thereto; • To identify the order of a reaction from data appertaining to concentration and the passage of time.
Collision Theory
Upon the conclusion of this section, the pupil shall be rendered capable of the following: • To employ the postulates of collision theory for the purpose of explaining the effects of physical state, temperature, and concentration upon the velocity of reactions; • To define the concepts of activation energy and the transition state; • To utilize the Arrhenius equation in such calculations as relate rate constants to temperature.
Reaction Mechanisms
Upon the conclusion of this section, the pupil shall be rendered capable of the following: • To distinguish net reactions from elementary reactions; • To identify the molecularity of elementary reactions; • To write a balanced chemical equation for a process, provided its reaction mechanism be given; • To derive the rate law consistent with a given reaction mechanism.
Catalysis
Upon the conclusion of this section, the pupil shall be rendered capable of the following: • To explain the function of a catalyst in terms of reaction mechanisms and potential energy diagrams; • To list examples of catalysis as they occur in natural and industrial processes.