Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution curve

• A?Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution curve?is a graph that shows the distribution of?energies?at a certain?temperature
• In a sample of a gas, a few particles will have very low energy, a few particles will have very high energy, but most particles will have energy in between

The Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution curve shows the distribution of the energies and the activation energy

• The graph shows that only a small proportion of molecules in the sample have enough energy for an?effective collision?and for a?chemical reaction?to take place

Changes in temperature

• When the temperature of a reaction mixture is increased, the particles gain more kinetic energy
• This causes the particles to move around faster resulting in more?frequent collisions
• Furthermore, the proportion of?successful collisions?increases, meaning a higher?proportion?of the particles possess the minimum amount of energy (activation energy) to cause a chemical reaction
• With higher temperatures, the Boltzmann distribution curve?flattens?and the peak?shifts?to the right

The Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution curve at T?oC and when the temperature is increased by 10?oC

• Therefore, an increase in temperature causes an increased rate of reaction due to:
  • There being?more effective collisions?as the particles have?more kinetic energy, making them move around faster
  • A?greater proportion?of the molecules having?kinetic energy?greater than the?activation energy