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IAL Chem Unit 4 Kinetics Cheat Sheet by

Key Definitions, Graphs, formulae.

Key Defini­tions

Term
Definition
Rate of Reaction
Change in concen­tration of a reactant or product per unit time.
Rate Equation
Rate = k [A]m [B]n where m, n are the orders of the reaction.
Order of Reaction
The power to which the concen­tration of a reactant is raised in the rate law
Overall Order
The sum of the powers (orders) of all reactants in the rate equation. Order = m+n.
Half-life (t₁⁄₂)
Time taken for the concen­tration of a reactant to fall to half its value.
Rate Constant (k)
Propor­tio­nality constant in the rate equation; depends on temper­ature.
Activation Energy (Eₐ)
Minimum energy needed for a reaction to occur.
Adsorption
The binding of molecules to a surface (such as a catalyst), which increases reaction rate.
Desorption
The release of products from a catalyst surface after the reaction.

Arrhenius Equation

k=AeEa/RT
Where
k = Chemical Reaction Rate
A = Pre-ex­pon­ential factor
Ea = Activation Energy
R = Gas Constant
T = Temper­ature in Kelvin

Mechan­isms: SN1 vs SN2

Feature
SN1
SN2
Steps
2 steps (carbo­cation formed)
1 step (simul­taneous attack­/leave)
Reactivity
Tertiary haloal­kanes
Primary haloal­kanes
Rate Law
rate = k[halo­alkane]
rate = k[halo­alk­ane­][Nu⁻]
Steric Hindrance
Low (carbo­cation interm­ediate)
High (due to nucleo­phile approach)

SN1 & SN2

 

Experi­mental Techniques

Method
Measur­ement
Used For
Mass loss
Decreasing mass (gas released)
Rate of gas-pr­oducing reactions
Volume of gas
Gas syringe / upside­-down cylinder
Gas evolution
Titration
Concen­tration vs time
Accurate kinetic data
Colori­metry
Absorbance vs concen­tration
Colored species (e.g. I₂ reaction)

Rate Laws & Integrated Rate Equations

Order
Rate Law
Half-life
Zero
rate = k
t₁⁄₂ = [A]₀ / 2k
First
rate = k[A]
t₁⁄₂ = ln2 / k
Second
rate = k[A]²
t₁⁄₂ = 1 / (k[A]₀)

Graphs

Half Life

Rate Determ­ining Step (RDS)

1. The slowest step in a mechanism controls the overall rate.
2. Only species involved up to RDS appear in the rate equation.
3. Powers in rate law = number of molecules in RDS.

Catalysis

Type
Phase
Example
Notes
Homoge­neous
Same as reactants
Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ in S₂O₈²⁻ + I⁻
Catalyst regene­rated via redox steps
Hetero­geneous
Different from reactants
Fe in Haber process
Provides surface, weakens bonds, speeds reaction
Catalysts lower the activation energy of a reaction by providing an alternate reaction route.

Adsorption (in Hetero­geneous Catalysis)

Adsorption is when reactant molecules bind to active sites on the surface of a solid catalyst.

This:
1. Brings molecules close together, increasing collision frequency
2. Weakens bonds in the reactants, lowering activation energy
3. Allows for a faster reaction

After the reaction, products desorb (leave) from the surface, freeing the site for reuse.
           
 

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