Multiple Choice
Which of the following best defines an elementary reaction in chemical kinetics?
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15. Chemical Kinetics
Intro to Chemical Kinetics
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In chemical kinetics, how does increasing the concentration of reactants affect the formation of the activated complex?
A
It prevents the formation of the activated complex by stabilizing the reactants.
B
It decreases the energy required to form the activated complex.
C
It has no effect on the formation of the activated complex.
D
It increases the frequency of collisions, leading to a higher rate of activated complex formation.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that the activated complex (or transition state) is a high-energy, unstable arrangement of atoms that occurs during the conversion of reactants to products in a chemical reaction.
Recall that the rate of formation of the activated complex depends on how often reactant molecules collide with enough energy and proper orientation.
Recognize that increasing the concentration of reactants increases the number of molecules per unit volume, which leads to more frequent collisions between reactant molecules.
Note that more frequent collisions increase the chances of reactants reaching the energy and orientation needed to form the activated complex, thus increasing its formation rate.
Conclude that increasing reactant concentration does not change the energy barrier (activation energy) but increases the frequency of collisions, thereby increasing the rate at which the activated complex forms.
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