Collision theory and Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution curves

Example pages from teacher notes, student worksheets and classroom slides that make up this resource

Source: © Royal Society of Chemistry

Use this lesson plan, presentation and student worksheet to recap collision theory, before going on to introduce the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution.

This resource includes a PowerPoint presentation full teacher notes and a student worksheet. The first part of the lesson recaps key points about collision theory and reaction kinetics. Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution curves are then introduced linked to collision theory. The presentation then moves onto examples to show what happens to the distribution curve when temperature increases and when a catalyst is introduced.

Use as a revision resource or to bridge the gap between learning at 14–16 and post-16 courses, or to complement practical activities on rates of reaction and kinetics.

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