💥 Collision Theory & Reaction Rate

📚 Syllabus Dot Point

Investigate the relationship between collision theory and reaction rate in order to analyse chemical equilibrium reactions (ACSCH070, ACSCH094)

Module 5: Equilibrium and Acid Reactions | Inquiry Question: What happens when chemical reactions do not go through to completion?

In the previous lessons, you learned that dynamic equilibrium occurs when the forward and reverse reaction rates are equal. But what determines the rate of a reaction in the first place? Why do some reactions happen in milliseconds while others take years? And how does changing conditions (temperature, concentration, pressure) affect the rate and therefore the position of equilibrium?

The answer lies in collision theory — the idea that for a chemical reaction to occur, reactant particles must collide with each other, and those collisions must meet specific conditions. Collision theory is the bridge that connects the microscopic behaviour of particles to the macroscopic observations we make about reaction rates and equilibrium.