Standard Level Content
Unit 11 · IB Chemistry
Kinetics
Investigating the factors that influence the rate of chemical reactions and the mechanisms through which they occur.
Lesson Slideshow Section 01
Unit Summary Section 02
Key Concepts
Rate Equations, Activation Energy, Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution, Rate-Determining Step, Arrhenius Equation
Assessment Objectives
Define rate of reaction, Determine reaction order, Calculate activation energy
Prior Knowledge Needed
Collision theory, energy profiles, stoichiometry (R1.1)
IB Syllabus Reference
R2.2
Interactive Study Guide
Click here to view the full, detailed topic summary for this unit.
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Cu
63.546
Video Lesson Section 03
Video Instruction
2 Lessons Available
Instantaneous Rates
Maxwell Boltzmann Distribution Curves
Practice Quiz Section 04 · Interactive
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Ne
20.180
Vocabulary Review Section 05
Reaction Rate
The change in concentration of a reactant or product per unit time.
Activation Energy
The minimum energy required for a collision to result in a reaction ($E_a$).
Collision Theory
States that particles must collide with sufficient energy and correct orientation to react.
Reaction Mechanism
The sequence of elementary steps that make up a complex reaction.
Order of Reaction
The power to which a reactant concentration is raised in the rate law.
Rate Constant
The proportionality constant $k$ in the rate law for a specific reaction at a specific temperature.
Catalyst
A substance that increases the reaction rate by providing an alternative path with lower $E_a$.
Intermediate
A species formed in one step and consumed in a subsequent step of a mechanism.
Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution
A graph showing the distribution of kinetic energies among particles in a gas.
Successful Collision
A collision that results in a chemical reaction ($energy \geq E_a$).
Rate-Determining Step
The slowest step in a reaction mechanism that limits the overall rate.
Instantaneous Rate
The rate of reaction at a specific point in time (found by the gradient of a tangent).
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Fe
55.845
Revision Notes Section 06
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Au
196.967
Practice Tests Section 07
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Cl
35.45
Worksheets & Labs Section 08