AP Chemistry · Unit 5
Kinetics
In short
Unit 5: Kinetics in AP Chemistry covers 11 topics: Reaction Rates, Introduction to Rate Law, Concentration Changes Over Time, Elementary Reactions and 7 more. Open each one for what you need to know, a self-check list and how it is tested on the exam.
Last updated
What is in Unit 5: Kinetics?
Unit 5: Kinetics
5.1 Reaction Rates
5.2 Introduction to Rate Law
5.3 Concentration Changes Over Time
- I can identify the rate law expression of a chemical reaction using concentration-time data.
- I can infer the order of a reaction from a graph of reactant concentration versus time.
- I can recognize that a linear plot of ln[reactant] versus time indicates a first-order reaction.
- I can recognize that a linear plot of 1/[reactant] versus time indicates a second-order reaction.
- I can determine the rate constant for zeroth, first, and second-order reactions using the slopes of their respective linear concentration-time graphs.
- I can calculate the half-life or rate constant for a first-order reaction using the equation t1/2 = 0.693/k.
- I can apply first-order kinetics principles to radioactive decay processes.
5.4 Elementary Reactions
5.5 Collision Model
- I can explain that successful collisions require both sufficient energy to overcome activation energy and the correct orientation.
- I can use the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution curve to qualitatively estimate the fraction of collisions with sufficient energy and describe how this depends on temperature.
5.6 Reaction Energy Profile
- I can state that elementary reactions typically involve breaking some bonds and forming new ones.
- I can describe the reaction coordinate as the axis plotting the motions involved in rearranging reactants to products.
- I can identify the transition state, reactants, products, and activation energy on a reaction energy profile.
- I can explain the temperature dependence of reaction rates using the proportion of energetic collisions and the Arrhenius equation conceptually.
5.7 Introduction to Reaction Mechanisms
- I can verify that the elementary steps of a mechanism combine to yield the overall balanced chemical equation.
- I can identify a reaction intermediate as a species produced in one elementary step and consumed in another.
- I can understand that detecting a reaction intermediate provides experimental evidence to support a proposed reaction mechanism.
5.8 Reaction Mechanism and Rate Law
5.9 Pre-Equilibrium Approximation
5.10 Multistep Reaction Energy Profile
5.11 Catalysis
Kinetics: common questions
What is in Unit 5: Kinetics?
It covers 11 topics: 5.1 Reaction Rates; 5.2 Introduction to Rate Law; 5.3 Concentration Changes Over Time; 5.4 Elementary Reactions; 5.5 Collision Model; 5.6 Reaction Energy Profile; 5.7 Introduction to Reaction Mechanisms; 5.8 Reaction Mechanism and Rate Law; 5.9 Pre-Equilibrium Approximation; 5.10 Multistep Reaction Energy Profile; 5.11 Catalysis.
Can I get one-to-one help with AP Chemistry?
AP Guru offers one-on-one online tutoring. Book a free consultation to talk through AP Chemistry, your exam date and the topics you find hardest.
Want help mastering this topic?
Work through Kinetics one-on-one with an AP Guru tutor.
Book a free demo class