10.3 Boltzmann Distribution
No description yet. This curated deck is ready for daily study.
Card preview (4)
What does the Boltzmann distribution represent?
spread of molecular energy within a system
What are the characteristic features of a Boltzmann distribution?
• NO MOLECULES HAVE 0 ENERGY • every molecule is vibrating no matter what state. • AREA UNDER CURVE = TOTAL NUMBER OF MOLECULES IN SYSTEM • NO MAXIMUM ENERGY • curve does not touch x axis even at very high energy.
How does the Boltzmann distribution change with higher temperatures? How does this ultimately affect the rate of reaction?
• average energy of particles increases • greater proportion of particles have energy ≥ Ea • increased frequency of collisions, & greater proportion of those will be successful • Rate of reaction increases
How does the Boltzmann distribution change on addition of a catalyst? How does this ultimately affect the rate of reaction?
• catalyst provides alternative reaction route with lower Ea • greater proportion of molecules have energy ≥ (new value of) Ea • greater proportion of collisions will be successful