Engineering Chemistry

Module -1

A. Thermodynamics

1
 Thermodynamics: Basic Terminologies

the quantity of matter or a region Properties of a system:

Thermodynamic Systems: in space upon which attention is # Intensive Properties:
concentrated in the analysis of a
problem
Everything
external to
the system

# Extensive Properties

2
 Thermodynamics: Basic Terminologies
# State function: Internal energy (U)
Depends on the initial state & final state;
independent of the path used to reach from. = Kinetic energy + Potential energy
Example: T (Temperature), P (Pressure), U
(Internal energy), H (Enthalpy) etc. ∙ It’s a state function & an extensive property
of the system.
∙ Internal energy of a system changes when
energy is transferred into or outside the
system in the form of heat or work

# Path function:
Depends on the path between the initial & final
state. Example: W (work done), q (heat transferred) etc.
3
 Thermodynamics: Basic Terminologies
State of a system
The state of thermodynamic variables such as Work done on/by the system
pressure, temperature, volume, composition W (Work) = F (force) x w (distance moved in the direction of force)
which describes the system is called state of
the system.
when one/more variables undergo change,
the system is said to have undergone a
change of state
• Adiabatic – no heat transferred
• Isothermal – constant temperature
• Isobaric – constant pressure
• Isochoric – constant volume

Gas is heated ⇒ it will expand and push the piston, thereby doing work on the piston.

The work done (dw) when the system expands by dV against a pressure Pex: dw =-
PexdV

This is an example of the system doing the work on the surrounding 4

 Reversible Process in Thermodynamics
# Example 1:
❑ A thermodynamics process is
Thermal equilibrium of two systems with the same temperature
reversible if the process can be
▪ If the temperature of either system is lowered infinitesimally,
turned back such that both the
then energy flows into the system with the lower temperature.
system and the surroundings
▪ If the temperature of either system at thermal equilibrium is
return to their original states,
raised infinitesimally, then energy flows out of the hotter system
with no other change
anywhere else in the universe. # Example 2:
Reversible expansion:
In reality, no such processes as Suppose a gas is confined by a piston.
reversible processes can exist. external pressure (Pex) = pressure (P) of the confined gas.
Thus, a more appropriate ▪ Such a system is in mechanical equilibrium with its surroundings
definition is a reversible change because an infinitesimal change in the external pressure in either
in thermodynamics is direction causes changes in volume in the opposite directions.
A change that can be reversed by an
infinitesimal modification of a variable.

5
 0 th Law of Thermodynamics

According to 0th law:

If two systems are in thermal equilibrium with a third system,
then those two systems are in thermal equilibrium with each
other.

❑ Two physical systems are in thermal

equilibrium if there is no net flow of
heat (thermal energy) between
them when they are connected by a
path permeable to heat.

The 0th law of thermodynamics defines thermal equilibrium and

forms a basis for the definition of temperature.

6
 1 st Law of Thermodynamics

▪ It’s the law of conservation of energy

❑ The energy of an isolated system remains constant. Whenever a quantity of energy (some form)
disappears, an exactly equivalent quantity of energy (some other form) must make an appearance.

Heat (q) and work (w) are equivalent ways of changing the internal energy of a system
→ Example:
o If a weight has been raised/lowered in the surroundings, transfer of energy happens by doing the work.
o If ice has melted in the surroundings, it indicated transfer of energy as heat.

For a system, if w = work done on a system, q

= energy transferred as heat to a system &
ΔU = resulting change in internal energy
The sign of w and q:
✔ +ve if energy is transferred to the system as work/heat
✔ -ve if energy is lost from the system.

7
 Enthalpy & Heat Capacity

If the change of a system is brought about at ❑ Heat capacity (C) of a system b/n any two temperatures –
constant pressure, there will be change in the quantity of heat (q) required to raise the temperature of
volume. the system from the lower temperature (T1) to the higher
temperature (T2) divided by the temperature difference.

☻ If mass of the system is 1 g,

the heat capacity is called the specific heat of the system
☻ For 1 mol of substance,
the heat capacity is termed as ‘molar heat capacity’

❑ The quantity (U + PV) is called the Molar heat capacity varies with temperature
enthalpy (H) of the system

❑ Molar heat capacity at constant volume

ΔU = ΔH –
or PΔV
ΔH = ΔU + @ constant volume w = 0 & ΔU = q
, PΔV 8
 Heat
Capacity
❑ Molar heat capacity at constant pressure (Cp)
ΔU = q -
w
@ constant pressure,
there is change in volume As quantity (U+PV) is the ⇒
& some work is done enthalpy (H) of the system

❑ Relationship between Cp & Cv ▪ For ideal gas, PV = RT (for 1 mole)

Δ(PV) = R ΔT

Heat capacity ratio,

9
 st
Application of 1 Law to the Expansion Work

Isothermal Process (constant temperature)

▪ In an isothermal process,
the temperature stays
constant, so the pressure
and volume are
work done inversely proportional to
one another

⇒ For an ideal gas,

The internal energy (U) ∝ Temperature (T)
if T = fixed, ΔU = 0 (according to 1st law, which deals with
ΔU)
Pressure-volume diagram ▪ If the system does work, the energy
comes from heat flowing into the
system from the surrounding
# Magnitude of w depends on whether ▪ if work is done on the system, heat
the expansion is reversible or flows out of the system to the
irreversible. surrounding. 10
 st
Application of 1 Law to the Expansion Work

Reversible isothermal expansion:

(as PV = nRT)

▪ Work done by the n moles of gas can be evaluated as:

in an isothermal expansion of a perfect gas)

The work done by a perfect gas when it
Relations for Irreversible Isothermal expansion expands reversibly and isothermally is equal
to the area under the isotherm p = nRT/V.
The work done during the irreversible
expansion against the same final pressure is
equal to the rectangular area shown slightly
darker. Note that the reversible work done
is greater than the irreversible work done.
11
 st
Application of 1 Law to the Expansion Work
Adiabatic process (constant heat) Reversible adiabatic expansion
▪ no heat is added/ removed from a system. ▪ Relation between T, V and P
▪ 1st law of thermodynamics:
ΔU = - w
⇒
(as no heat is allowed to enter/leave the system, q = 0)

✔ Example: A gas expanding so quickly that no heat can be ⇒

transferred. Due to the expansion work, temperature
drops. This is exactly what happens with a carbon dioxide
fire extinguisher, with the gas coming out at high ⇒
pressure and cooling as it expands at atmos. pressure
⇒

⇒ Work is done by the system at the expense of its Irreversible adiabatic expansion
internal energy

12
 st
Application of 1 Law to the Expansion Work
Isobaric process (constant pressure) Isochoric process (constant volume)

▪ the pressure is kept constant. ▪ the volume is kept constant

▪ The work done by the system in an isobaric process is ▪ The work done is zero in an isochoric process
simply the pressure multiplied by the change in
volume ✔ . Example of an isochoric system: A gas in a box
✔ Example of an isobaric system: A gas, being slowly with fixed walls
heated or cooled, confined by a piston in a cylinder.

13
 st
Numerical from of 1 Law

❖ Example 2: 1 mole of an ideal gas expands against

a constant external pressure of 1 atm from a
volume of 10 dm3 to a volume of 30 dm3. Calculate
the work done by the gas in Joules.

Since, conversion of water to steam is accompanied

by increase in volume, work is done by the system
on the surroundings.
Hence, w = 3099 Jmol-1

Since
, ΔU = Q-W = 40,670-3099 = 37,571 Jmol-1 14
 st
Numerical from of 1 Law

Since for an adiabatic process, q =0,

hence ΔU = w = 1384 J

⇒ Tf = 189K

❖ Example 4: 10 moles of an ideal gas expands reversibly and isothermally from a pressure of 10 atm to 2 atm at
300 K. Calculate the work done.
15
 Entropy

▪ The 1st law & the 2nd law of thermodynamics were summed up by German Physicist Rudolf Clausius as below:
The energy of the universe remains constant; the entropy of the universe tends towards a maximum
Heat engine
▪ Its a device which transforms heat into work
▪ This happens in a cyclic process
▪ Heat engines require a hot reservoir to supply energy (QH)
and a cold reservoir to take in the excess energy (QC)
– QH is defined as positive, QC is defined as negative

Carnot Cycle
▪ A Carnot cycle (named after the French engineer Sadi
Carnot) consists of four reversible stages in which a gas
(the working substance) is either expanded/compressed in
various ways
▪ To demonstrate the maximum convertibility of heat into
work
▪ The system consists of 1 mole of an ideal gas which is
16
subjected to four strokes
 Carnot Cycle

Four stages of Carnot Cycle: A. 1st stroke:

Curve AB: A🡪B: Isothermal expansion at Th
Work done by the gas
⇒ The gas is placed in thermal contact with QH (at Th) and
undergoes reversible isothermal expansion from A to B.
⇒ The entropy change is qh/Th ( qh = the energy supplied to the
system as heat from the hot source)

B. 2nd stroke:
Curve BC (B → C): Adiabatic expansion,
Work done by the gas
⇒ Contact with QH is broken & the gas undergoes
reversible adiabatic expansion from B to C.
⇒ No energy leaves the system as heat, ΔS = 0
Since ⇒ The expansion is carried on until the temperature of
the gas falls from Th to Tc (the temperature of Qc)
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Carnot Cycle
C. 3rd stroke:
Curve CD (C → D): Isothermal compression at TC,
Work done on the gas.
▪ The gas is placed in contact with the cold sink (Qc) and undergoes
a reversible isothermal compression from C to D at Tc.
▪ Energy is released as heat to the cold sink; the entropy change of
the system = qc/Tc, where qc is negative.

D. 4th stroke:
Curve DA (D → A): Adiabatic compression
Work done on the gas
▪ Contact with Qc is broken and the gas undergoes
reversible adiabatic compression from D to A such
that the final temperature is Th.
▪ No energy enters the system as heat, so the q is zero.
▪ Hence, ΔU = -w

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 Carnot Cycle

▪ The area enclosed by the four curves represents the net

work done by the engine in one cycle
▪ Total workdone W = w1+w2 + w3 + w4
▪ = R Th ln (VB/VA) – RTc(VC/VD)

▪ Since VB/VA = VC/VD, W = R(Th-Tc) ln (VB/VA)

▪ W/qh = (Th-Tc)/Th
▪ Efficiency = (Th-Tc)/Th = 1- Tc/Th
▪ In addition to this, w = qh-qc
Efficiency of a heat engine
• The thermal efficiency of a heat engine is

• Another statement of the 2nd Law:

– It is impossible for any process to have as its sole
result the transfer of heat from a cooler object to
[Kelvin’s statement] a warmer object [Clausius’s statement]20
 Application of the Carnot Cycle

∙ Energy efficiency of the

Carnot cycle is independent
of its working substance.
∙ Any cyclic process that
absorbs heat at one
temperature and rejects
heat at another
temperature and is
reversible has the energy
efficiency of a Carnot cycle.

→ Thermal devices or thermal machines are one of the

applications of this cycle.
→ Refrigeration, Air conditioners & Heat pumps
✔ The heat pumps to produce heating,
● These appliances are heat engines operating
✔ the refrigerators to produce cooling,
in reverse.
✔ the steam turbines used in the ships,
● By doing work, heat is extracted from the cold
✔ the combustion engines of the combustion vehicles
reservoir & exhausted to the hot reservoir
✔ the reaction turbines of the aircraft 21
 Numerical
❖ Example 3: Heat supplied to a Carnot engine is 1897.8 kJ. How
much useful work can be done by the engine which works
between 0 ∘C and 100 ∘C.
Solution:

Solution: Tc= (1 − η)Th

⇒ η = 1 – (Tc /Th)
Theoretical efficiency (η) = 1 – (293K/573K)
= 0.489
= 48.9 %
# In practice, there are other losses due to
mechanical friction and the fact that
turbines do not operate reversibly.
❖ Example 2: Calculate the maximum efficiency of a heat engine operating between 100 ∘C and 25 ∘C
Solution:
Tc = 25 + 273 = 298K Tc= (1 − η)Th
For engines, we have
Th = 100 + 273 = 373 K ⇒ η = 1 – (Tc /Th)
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 2 nd Law of Thermodynamics
▪ Why we need for the 2nd law of thermodynamics?
the 1st law uses the internal energy to identify
→ The 1st law of thermodynamics does not tell us
permissible changes
anything about the direction of change. The
the 2nd law uses the entropy to identify which of
direction of spontaneous change of a process is
these permissible changes are spontaneous.
defined by the 2nd law of thermodynamics
→ A spontaneous process points towards the
❑ 2nd law of thermodynamics direction in which the total entropy increases.
▪ Heat does not flow spontaneously from a cool body Entropy (S) is a state function
to a hotter body
Thermodynamic definition of entropy
▪ The entropy (S) of an isolated system increases in
the course of a spontaneous change. → The thermodynamic definition of entropy
ΔStot > concentrates on the change in entropy (dS)
that occurs as the result of a physical or
Where, Stot = 0S + Ssur chemical process.
S = the entropy of the system of interest, & → dqrev is the energy transferred as heat
Ssur = the entropy of the surroundings reversibly to the system at the absolute
# Note: when considering applications of the 2nd law – it is a temperature T.
statement about the total entropy of the overall isolated
system (the ‘universe’), not just about the entropy of the
system of interest. 23
 Entropy
▪ Process that lead to an increase in entropy (ΔS > 0) Entropy change for the system of an isothermal
expansion of a perfect gas

☻ Notice the increasing disorder in above processes 24

 Entropy
Total Entropy change in irreversible (spontaneous) Isothermal Reversible expansion
process of a perfect gas
✔ example: Isothermal expansion of an ideal gas at
constant temperature into vacuum

⇒ all spontaneous process occurring in Nature

is irreversible, entropy of the universe is
increasing continuously 25
 Entropy

▪ The 1st law & the 2nd law of thermodynamics were summed up by German Physicist Rudolf Clausius as below:
The energy of the universe remains constant; the entropy of the universe tends towards a maximum

Entropy change during different processes

26
 nd
Numerical from 2 Law of Thermodynamics

❖ Example 4: 5 mole of an ideal gas expands ❖ Example 5: Calculate the change in entropy accompanying
reversibly from a volume of 8 dm3 to 80 the heating of 1 mole of Helium gas (assumed ideal) from
dm3 at a temperature of 27 ∘C. Calculate the a temperature of 298 K to a temperature of 1000 K at
change in entropy. constant pressure. Assume Cv =3/2 R
Solution: Solution:

❖ Example 6: 1 mol of an ideal gas expands reversibly from a volume of 10 dm3 and 298 K to a volume of 20 dm3
and temperature 250 K. Assuming Cv =3/2 R, calculate the entropy change for the process.
Solution:

27
Free Energy
Free energy and the spontaneity

▪ It is not always easy to know the entropy change of both system and the surrounding
▪ We can express this in terms of G (the free energy function) and thus can device a criterion of
spontaneity in terms of the state function of the system.

▪ There are few assumptions:

→ Assumption no 1:
The system is in thermal equilibrium with its surroundings at a temperature T.
→ Assumption no 2:
Heat transfer between the system and the surrounding happens at constant volume
→ Assumption no 3:
Heat transfer between the system and the surrounding happens at constant pressure.

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 Free Energy
Under the Assumption 1 & Assumption 2 ▪ The criterion of spontaneity in terms of Gibbs Free
energy change (dG) and Helmholtz energy (dA)

In an endothermic reaction:
dH > 0
⇒ TdS ≥ dU but if such a reaction is to be spontaneous at constant
dA=dU−TdS [A = Helmholtz free energy] temperature and pressure, G must decrease.

⇒ A=U−TS ▪ as dG = dH − TdS
it is possible for dG to be
negative provided that
Under the Assumption 1 & Assumption 3 the entropy of the system
increases so much that
TdS outweighs dH.
⇒ TdS ≥ dH ⇒ Endothermic
reactions are
dG=dH−TdS [G = Gibbs free energy] therefore driven by
⇒ G=H−TS the increase of
entropy of the system
29
 Free Energy

In an exothermic reactions

▪ commonly spontaneous At chemical equilibrium,

because dH < 0 & then dG < 0 provided TdS is not so
negative that it outweighs the decrease in enthalpy. dG = 0
▪ Free energy change with temperature
and pressure:

30
 3 rd Law of Thermodynamics
▪ At T = 0, all energy of thermal motion has
been quenched and in a perfect crystal all the
atoms/ions are in a regular, uniform array.
▪ The localization of matter and the absence of
thermal motion suggest that such materials
also have zero entropy.
▪ Statistical or microscopic definition of entropy:
S = k ln W
where, S = the entropy,
k = Boltzmann constant, → When T = 0, W = 1
W = the number of microstates or ∴S = k lnW
the total number of ways a =0
molecular state can be distributed ⇒ if the value zero is ascribed to the entropies of elements
over the energy states for a specific in their perfect crystalline form at T = 0, then all perfect
value of total energy. crystalline compounds also have zero entropy at T = 0
Third law of thermodynamics:
The entropy of all perfect crystalline substances is zero at T = 0. 31
 Module 1

B. Chemical Kinetics

32
 What is Chemical kinetics?

Chemical kinetics is the branch of chemistry which deals with the study of
rates (or fastness) of chemical reactions, the factors affecting it and the
mechanism by which the reactions proceed.

The rate of a chemical reaction might depend on variables such as

❖ pressure,
❖ temperature, and
❖ the presence of a catalyst,

It is to be contrasted with thermodynamics, which deals with the direction in

which a process occurs but in itself tells nothing about its rate

33
 The rates of reactions
The change in concentration of reactants or products per unit time.

Here, the instantaneous rate of disappearance of one of the reactants

(A or B) at a given time, t (at constant volume) is −d[R]/dt. Similarly, the
rate of formation of one of the products is d[P]/dt. (Note the change in
the sign)

The negative sign indicates that the concentration is decreasing with

time.

34
 The rates of reactions

Consider a general reaction,

A+B→C

The rate of reaction will be:

Consider another general reaction:

aA + bB → cC + dD
where a, b, c d are stoichiometric coefficients

The rate of reaction will be:

35
 The rates of reactions
Sample Questions:
Write rate expressions for the following reactions:

1. NO2 (g) + CO (g) → NO (g) + CO2 (g)

2. 2HI (g) → H2 (g) + I2 (g)

Solution:

1.

2.

36
 Rate laws and rate constants

The rate law is the relationship between the rate and the concentration, which
are related by a proportionality constant k, known as rate constant.
aA + bB → cC + dD

rate = k [A]m[B]n

where m and n are order of reaction in A and B, respectively k is the rate constant.

This above equation is called the rate law of the reaction.

37
 Rate laws and rate constants

Important points about rate laws and rate constant:

✔ Rate law is a result of experimental observation. You CANNOT look at

the stoichiometry of the reaction and predict the rate law (unless the
reaction is an elementary reaction).

✔ rate = k[A]m[B]n

✔ The rate constant is independent of the concentrations but depends

on the temperature.

✔ The units for k vary. Determine units for k by considering units for rate
and for concentration.

38
 Order of a reaction

A+B→C

For rate = k[A]m[B]n

Where, m is the order of reaction in A, n is the order of reaction in B. m and n can
be integers, fractions, negative or positive.

The overall reaction order is the sum of the exponents in the rate law.

✔ m=0 (Zero order k[A]0)

✔ m=1 (First order k[A]1)
✔ m=2 (Second order k[A]2)

Examples:
H2 + Cl2 → 2HCl. Rate = k[H2]0 [Cl2]0 (Zero order)
SO2Cl2(g) → SO2(g) + Cl2(g) Rate = k[SO2Cl2]1 (First order)
2
NO2 → 2 NO + O2 Rate = k[NO2] (Second order)
2NO(g) + 2H2(g) → 2N2 (g) + 2H2O (g) Rate = k[NO]2 [H2]1 (Third order)
CH3COOC2H5 + H2O → CH3COOH + C2H5OH Rate = [CH3COOC2H5]1[H2O]0 (pseudo-first-order)

39
 Integrated rate laws
Since rate laws are in differential form, we must integrate them to find out the concentration as
a function of time.
Integrated first-order rate law:
A→B

Rate =

Separate concentration and time terms

Integrating over the limits [A]0 to [A]t and 0 to t,

40
Continue….
 Integrated rate laws
Straight line equation (y = mx+c)

If we plot ln [A]t versus time, then we will get a straight line having negative
slope (-k). Rate constants can be determined from experiment by plotting data
in this manner.

41
 Integrated rate laws
Other forms:

Integrated first order rate law

The exponential decay of the reactant in

a first-order reaction. The larger the rate
constant, the more rapid the decay.

42
 Integrated rate laws
Question: The variation in the partial pressure of azomethane with time was
followed at 600 K, with the results given below. Confirm that the decomposition
is first-order in azomethane, and find the rate constant at 600 K.
CH3N2CH3 (g) → CH3CH3 (g) + N2 (g)

Solution: To confirm that a reaction is first-order, plot

ln([A]t/[A]0) against time and expect a straight line. Because
the partial pressure of a gas is proportional to its
concentration, an equivalent procedure is to plot ln(p/p0)
against t.
First, convert p into ln(p/p0) and draw the graph. The plot is
straight, confirming a first-order reaction, and its slope is
-3.6×10-4.
Therefore, k = 3.6 ×10-4 s-1.
43
 First-order Half-life
Half-life is the time it takes for the original concentration to be reduced by half.
From above:

It is clear from the result that the half-life of a reactant is independent of its
initial concentration for a first-order reaction. Therefore, if the concentration of A
at some arbitrary stage of the reaction is [A], then it will have fallen to 1/2[A]
after a further interval of (ln 2)/k.
44
 First-order Half-life
Question:
1. The half-life of a first-order reaction was found to be 10 min at a certain
temperature. What is its rate constant?
Solution: k= 0.693/600s = 0.00115s-1

2. If 3.0 g of substance A decomposes for 36 minutes the mass of unreacted A

remaining is found to be 0.375 g. What is the half-life of this reaction if it follows
first-order kinetics?

Solution:

k =0.0578 min-1

45
Integrated second-order rate law
A→B

Integrated zero-order rate law

A→B

46
 Pseudo First Order Reaction
A pseudo first-order reaction can be defined as a second-order or bimolecular
reaction that is made to behave like a first-order reaction.
This reaction occurs when one reacting material is present in great excess or is
maintained at a constant concentration compared with the other substance.
A+B→C

So, if component B is in large excess and the concentration of B is very high as

compared to that of A, the reaction is considered to be a pseudo-first-order reaction
with respect to A and if component A is in large excess and the concentration of A is very
high as compared to that of B, the reaction is considered to be pseudo-first order with
respect to B.

For example: CH COOC H + H O → CH COOH + C H OH

3 2 5 2 3 2 5

Rate = k [CH3COOC2H5]

The concentration of water is very high and thus does not change much during
the course of the reaction.
47
 Temperature dependence of reaction rates
The rate constant of most reactions increases with increase in the temperature.

Arrhenius equation

where, A is the pre-exponential factor and Ea is the activation energy.

❖ A plot of ln k against 1/T is a straight line when the reaction follows the behavior described
by the Arrhenius equation.
❖ The higher the activation energy, the stronger the temperature dependence of the rate
constant (i.e., the steeper the slope).
❖ If a reaction has zero activation energy, its rate is independent of temperature.

If we plot the graph ln k vs 1/T, we will get the value of A

from the intercept at infinite T (i.e.; 1/T=0) and the value
of Ea from the slope.

48
 Temperature dependence of reaction rates
Questions:
1. The rate of the second-order decomposition of acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) was
measured over the temperature range 700–1000 K, and the rate constants are reported
below. Find Ea and A.

Solution: First convert T in (103) and k into ln k. Now, plot ln k against 1/T. You will
obtain the following graph having slope = -22.7 and intercept 27.7.
Now, Ea = 22.7 × (8.3145 J K−1 mol−1) × 103 K = 189 kJ mol−1
A = e27.7 dm3 mol−1s−1 = 1.1 × 1012 dm3 mol−1 s−1

49
 Temperature dependence of reaction rates

2. The values of rate constants for a reaction are 9.51x10-9 L/mol.s and
1.10x10-5 L/mol.s at temperatures 500K and 600 K respectively. Calculate
the activation energy.

Solution:

After substituting the given values and calculating,

Ea= 176 kJ/mol

50
Energy barrier: interpretation of Arrhenius parameters

One can rewrite the above equation as:

To interpret Ea, lets us consider the collision between molecules of reactants

A and B:
Collision theory:

1. The rate of a reaction is proportional to the rate of reactant collisions:

2. The reacting species must collide in an orientation that allows contact
between the atoms that will become bonded together in the product.
3. The collision must occur with adequate energy to permit mutual
penetration of the reacting species’ valence shells so that the electrons
can rearrange and form new bonds (and new chemical species).
51
 Collision theory

❖ But all the collision will not lead to the product. Only the molecules which
are having sufficient energy (E ≥ Ea) can cross the energy barrier.

❖ The minimum energy necessary to form a product during a collision

between reactants is called the activation energy (Ea).

❖ The kinetic energy of reactant molecules plays an important role in a

reaction because the energy necessary to form a product is provided by a
collision of a reactant molecule with another reactant molecule.

❖ If the activation energy is much larger than the average kinetic energy of the
molecules, the reaction will occur slowly: Only a few fast-moving molecules
will have enough energy to react.

❖ If the activation energy is much smaller than the average kinetic energy of
the molecules, the fraction of molecules possessing the necessary kinetic
energy will be large; most collisions between molecules will result in
reaction, and the reaction will occur rapidly.

52
 Collision theory

❖ The potential energy rises to a maximum and

the cluster of atoms that corresponds to the
region close to the maximum is called the
activated complex.

❖ After the maximum, the potential energy falls

as the atoms rearrange in the cluster and
reaches a value characteristic of the products.

❖ The peak of the potential energy corresponds

to the activation energy Ea..This crucial
configuration is called the transition state of
the reaction.

❖ The pre-exponential factor is a measure of the A potential energy profile for

rate at which collisions occur irrespective of an exothermic reaction. The
their energy. Hence, the product of A and the height of the barrier between
exponential factor, e−Ea/RT, gives the rate of the reactants and products is
successful collisions. the activation energy of the
reaction.
53
 Collision theory

Both postulates of the collision theory of reaction rates are accommodated

in the Arrhenius equation. The frequency factor A is related to the rate at
which collisions having the correct orientation occur. The exponential term
is related to the fraction of collisions providing adequate energy to
overcome the activation barrier of the reaction.

54
 Collision theory
Quantitatively, for two reactions at the same temperature
✔ The reaction with the higher activation energy has the lower rate constant and the

slower rate. The larger value of Ea results in a smaller value for reflecting the

smaller fraction of molecules with enough energy to react.

✔ The reaction with the smaller Ea has a larger fraction of molecules with enough

energy to react. This will be reflected as a larger value of , a larger rate constant,

and a faster rate for the reaction.

(a) As the activation energy of a reaction decreases, the number of molecules with at least this much energy increases, as shown
by the shaded areas.
(b) At a higher temperature, T2, more molecules have kinetic energies greater than Ea, as shown by the yellow shaded area. 55
 Module 1

C. Catalysis

56
 Catalysis
The science and technology of catalysis is of great significance as it affects our daily
life. Four major sectors of the world economy; petroleum and energy production,
chemicals and polymer production, food industry and pollution control, involve
catalytic processes.

57
 Definition of Catalysis
“A catalyst is a chemical entity which by virtue of its presence in a
reacting system increases or decreases the rate of the reaction, itself
remaining unchanged in chemical properties or mass at the end of a
reaction.”

The phenomenon of alteration of the rate of a reaction by a catalyst is

known catalysis.

The term catalysis, proposed in 1835 by Jöns Jakob Berzelius

(1779-1848), comes from the Greek words kata meaning down and lyein
meaning loosen.

The economic significance of the catalyst industry is enormous. The

catalytic processes contribute greater than 30-40% of global GDP. The
global catalyst market size was estimated at USD 34.0 billion in 2019 and
is expected to reach USD 35.1 billion in 2020. 58
Characteristics of Catalysts

(1) The catalyst remains unchanged (in mass and chemical

composition) in the reaction.

(2) A small quantity of the catalyst is required.

(3) The catalyst does not change the equilibrium constant but the
equilibrium approaches earlier.

59
 Catalytic reactions

Catalysts work by providing alternative mechanism involving a

different transition state of lower energy. Thereby, the activation
energy* of the catalytic reaction is lowered compared to the
uncatalyzed reaction as shown in Figure below:

Figure: Schematic diagram to illustrate the effect of catalyst on activation energy of reactions. 60
 Types of catalysis

Following are the main types of catalysis:

1. Heterogeneous catalysis

2. Homogeneous catalysis

3. Enzyme catalysis

61
1. Heterogeneous catalysis
If the catalyst is present in a different phase than the reactants is
called heterogeneous catalyst and the phenomenon is known
heterogeneous catalysis.

In heterogeneous catalysis the reactions take place at the interface of

two phases. The catalyst is, often a solid and adsorbs a liquid or a
gas. This type of catalysis is of great importance in many industrial
processes.

Figure: Schematic diagram to illustrate the heterogeneous catalysis. 62

 Examples of Heterogeneous catalyst
(a) Manufacture of ammonia by the Haber process. Iron (Fe) acts as catalyst.

N2 (g) + 3H3 (g) → 2NH3 (g)

(b) Manufacture of sulphuric acid by the Contact process. Vanadium pentoxide (V2O5)
or platinum are catalysts for the production of SO3 (g) from SO2 (g) and O2 (g).

2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) → 2SO3 (g)

(c) Catalysts used in many reactions in the petroleum and polymer industries. There
are cases of heterogeneous catalysis where a reaction in the liquid phase is
catalysed by a substance in the solid state. An example is the decomposition of
H2O2 (aqueous) by MnO2 (s).

2H2O2 (aq) → 2 H2O (l) + O2 (g)

(d) Examples of reactions in which both the reactant and the catalyst are in the
solid phase. The decomposition of KClO3 is catalysed by solid MnO2.
2 KClO3 (s) → 2KCl (s) + 3O2 (g) 63
2. Homogeneous catalysis
In a reaction, if the catalyst is present in the same phase as the
reactants, it is called a homogeneous catalyst and the phenomenon
is homogeneous catalysis. Such catalysis can take place in gaseous
reaction or reactions in solution.

These chemicals help in attaining the equilibrium more quickly by

increasing the rates of both the forward and reverse reactions to an
extent.

Figure: Schematic diagram to illustrate the homogeneous catalysis. 64

Examples of homogeneous catalysis in the gas phase

(a) Oxidation of sulphur dioxide, SO2, by oxygen to sulphur trioxide,

SO3, in presence of nitric oxide, NO, in the Chamber Process for
sulphuric acid manufacture.
2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) → 2SO3 (g)
here, NO acts as a catalyst.

(b) The following reaction in the gas phase is catalyzed by traces of

chlorine gas, particularly in presence of light.
2N2O (g) → 2N2 (g) + O2 (g)
In presence of light chlorine forms chlorine radicals, which react with
N2O forming the intermediate radical ClO*. The proposed mechanism
is:
Step 1: N2O (g) + Cl* (g) → N2 (g) + ClO*(g)
Step 2: 2ClO*(g) → Cl2 (g) + O2 (g) 65
Examples of homogeneous catalysis in the solution phase

(a) Hydrolysis of ester in the presence of acid and alkali:

CH3COOC2H5 (l) + H2O (l) → CH3COOH (aq) + C2H5OH (aq)

(b) Hydrolysis of sucrose (cane sugar) into glucose and fructose in

presence of minerals acids acting as catalysts:

C12H22O11 (aq) + H2O (l) → C6H12O6 (aq) + C6H12O6 (aq)

(cane sugar) (glucose) (fructose)

66
D. Enzyme catalysis
Michaelis-Menton mechanism

67
 Enzymes
❑ Enzymes are protein-based molecules that can process
certain chemical reactions

❑ These reactions occur at a localized site, called the active

site, at the rate much faster than a normal chemical reaction.

❑ Substrate is the molecule that fits into the active site of the
enzyme and undergoes transformation to a product.

❑ Example of an enzyme catalysed reaction is catalase that

converts hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen. It is an
important enzyme protecting the cell from oxidative damage
by reactive oxygen species (ROS)

H 2O 2 → H 2O + O 2
Molecular structure of Catalase
Reaction catalysed by the enzyme, catalase

68
Mechanism of enzyme-catalyzed reactions
❑ Enzyme-catalyzed reactions work
in a lock and key fashion.

❑ The substrate uniquely fits like a

key into the active site of the
enzyme, forming a lock-key
complex.

❑ The substrate is converted into the

product by the enzyme at the
active site.

❑ The product is then released from

the active site.

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 Enzymes’ effect on the activation energy
❑ Enzymes lower the activation energy for reactions. The
lower the activation energy, the faster the rate of the
reactions.

❑ For example: the enzyme catalase reduces the

activation energy for the decomposition of hydrogen
peroxide to 8 kJ mol-1, corresponding to an acceleration
of the reaction by a factor of 1015 at 298 K.

❑ A generic equation for the complex formation is as

follows:

E+S ES P+E

70