Collision Theory in Equilibria
This is part of the HSC Chemistry syllabus under the topic of Static and Dynamic Equilibrium
HSC Chemistry Syllabus
- Investigate the relationship between collision theory and reaction rate in order to analyse chemical equilibrium reactions (ACSCH070, ACSCH094
How does collision theory help us better understand equilibrium systems?
This video will explore what collision theory is and how it relates to how we understand equilibrium systems
What is Collision Theory?
Collision theory is a theory which states chemical reactions are the result of collisions between molecules or atoms.
It utilises our understanding of the particle model to explain that the rate of reaction depends on:

Figure: Molecular orientation is an important factor of reaction rate as stated by collision theory. If the orientation of reactants is not correct (effective) during collision, reaction does not occur.
What Affects Collision Rate?

Collision rate increases at a higher concentration
- Concentration of particles/molecules. A higher concentration means there are more particles moving about in a given volume, increasing the frequency at which particles collide.
Collision rate increases at a higher pressure for gases
- Pressure/volume. Changes in pressure and volume affect the collision rate between gaseous particles as they occupy the most volume. An increase in pressure (or reduction in volume) increases the rate of collision.
- Temperature determines the amount of heat energy in a system. A higher temperature (greater energy) means particles move about quicker at greater kinetic energy. This in turn increases the collision rate between them.
What Affects Activation Energy?
Catalyst reduces the activation energy
- Catalysts reduce the activation energy of a reaction, resulting in an increased rate.
Molecular Energy Distribution
- In addition to increasing the collision rate, a higher temperature also allows more collisions to result in a chemical reaction. This is because, at a higher temperature, more molecules have enough energy (greater than the activation energy) to react. This causes the Maxwell-Boltzmann energy distribution graph to shift to the right, without changing the activation energy.
The effect of increased temperature on molecular energy distribution
- Catalysts reduce the activation energy of a reaction. This does not affect the energy distribution of molecules as it does not change the energy inside the system. However, by reducing the activation energy, more molecules have enough energy to result in a chemical reaction when collisions occur.
The effect of catalyst addition on molecular energy distribution
- In both cases, the frequency of a successful collision (one that results in a chemical reaction) increases, and so does the reaction rate.
Collision Theory in Dynamic Equilibrium
- Chemical equilibrium is concerned with the reversibility of chemical reactions. Many reactions do not go to completion and instead both reactants and products exist in a dynamic equilibrium.
- An example of a reversible reaction that can exist in equilibrium is the reaction between N2O4 and NO2. Suppose a closed system initially has some amount of N2O4 and no NO2. Molecules of N2O4 can decompose to produce twice as many NO2.
$$2NO_{2(g)} \rightleftharpoons N_2O_{4(g)}$$
- As the N2O4 molecules decompose to produce NO2, their concentration decreases and so does their collision rate. This in turn reduces the rate of the forward reaction.
- As NO2 molecules form, they can also collide and result in a reaction to re-form N2O4. This is represented by the reverse reaction.
- In the beginning, the forward reaction rate is greater than the reverse reaction rate as there are far more N2O4 than NO2 molecules. This results in a net decrease in [N2O4] and a net increase in [NO2]
- However, as the reaction proceeds, the rate of the forward reaction gradually decreases, and the rate of the reverse reaction gradually increases.
- This continues until the rates of the forward and reverse reaction become equal, where equilibrium is established. At this point, forward and reverse reactions still occur due to the collision between molecules but no changes in concentration are observed.
Figure: change in reaction rate with time. At t1, rate of forward and backward reactions becomes equal, and equilibrium is reached.
Figure: change in concentration of reactants and products of a reversible reaction. [`N_2O_4`] decreases while [`NO_2`] increases. A reaction can reach equilibrium starting with any quantities of reactants and products.
Practice Question
Using collision theory, explain the changes in [N2O4] and [NO2] shown by the graphs above.
Sample answer:
- Initially, N2O4 collide and will result in a reaction to produce NO2 if the activation energy is met. This causes [NO2] to increase and [N2O4] to decrease.
- As [N2O4] falls, there are fewer collisions between N2O4 molecules, so the rate of the forward reaction decreases.
- As [NO2] increases, there are more collisions between NO2 molecules, so the rate of the reverse reaction increases.
- Forward and backward reaction rates will continue to change until they become equal in value. When this occurs, the reaction reaches chemical equilibrium. Since the two rates are equal, there is no change in [N2O4] and [NO2]
Figure: Reaction between dinitrogen tetroxide and nitrogen dioxide can be monitored by its colour change. Nitrogen tetroxide is colourless whereas nitrogen dioxide has a distinctive brown colour.
- Nitrogen dioxide (`NO_2`) has a distinctive brown colour while dinitrogen tetroxide (`N_2O_4`) is colourless.
- In the reaction above, the reaction mixture is pale brown as it consists of mostly `N_2O_4`. As the reaction approaches equilibrium, the concentration of `NO_2` increases, making the mixture appear browner.
- As the concentration of `N_2O_4` decreases, the collision rate of forward reaction decreases. On the other hand, as concentration of `NO_2` increases, the collision rate of reverse reaction increases. These changes continue until they become equal, which marks when a dynamic equilibrium is achieved.
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Next section: Le Chatelier's Principle