Question detail
Why do most collisions between particles not lead to a reaction?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Kinetics
Question
- A. They do not have sufficient energy
- B. They occur too quickly
- C. They are not in the correct orientation
- D. They are not elastic collisions
Answer
They do not have sufficient energy
Explanation
Most collisions do not lead to a reaction because the colliding particles often do not have enough energy to overcome the activation energy barrier required for the reaction to occur.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Activation Energy
Students often confuse activation energy with the overall energy change of a reaction, thinking it is the energy released or absorbed during the reaction.
Activation energy is the minimum energy required for a reaction to occur, not the energy change. To clarify, remember that activation energy is the energy barrier that must be overcome for reactants to convert into products.
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