Kinetics
Rate-law fluency from initial-rate data and graph analysis to mechanism checks and catalyst reasoning.
This route helps when you keep missing the same type of question across different topics. Use it to combine lesson notes with linked practice and tools in one place.
Notes and Hubs in This Route
- Catalysts and Enzymes
Explain how catalysts lower activation energy, distinguish elements from compound catalysts, and understand enzymes as biological catalysts.
- Collision Theory
Collision theory: explain effective collisions, activation energy and how particle behaviour changes reaction rate.
- Factors Affecting Rate of Reaction
Explain concentration, gas compression, solid particle size and temperature using collisions; compare rates with fair tests and graphs.
- Activation Energy and Boltzmann Distribution (A Level)
Use collision theory to explain temperature effects on rate via the Boltzmann distribution and the fraction of particles with E ≥ Ea.
- Reaction Kinetics (A Level)
A Level reaction kinetics notes: rate laws and orders, initial rates, concentration–time graphs and half-life, mechanisms/RDS, and catalysis.
- Catalysis and Enzymes (A Level)
Compare homogeneous vs heterogeneous catalysis, explain how catalysts lower Ea, and describe enzymes as specific catalysts with temperature/pH effects.
- Chemical Equilibria (A Level)
A Level chemical equilibria notes: dynamic equilibrium and Le Chatelier, Kc/Kp expressions, ICE-table calculations, equilibrium composition, and Haber process.
- Concentration–Time Graphs and Half-life (A Level)
Recognise 0th and 1st order behaviour from concentration–time and rate plots, use half-life to test reaction order, and extract k correctly.
- Dynamic Equilibrium and Le Chatelier (A Level)
Define dynamic equilibrium precisely and use Le Chatelier’s principle to predict shifts when concentration, pressure, and temperature change.
- Equilibrium Composition Calculations (A Level)
Solve Kc/Kp equilibrium composition questions with ICE tables, justified approximations, and quick sanity checks that prevent errors.
- Haber Process (Case Study) (A Level)
Use the Haber process to combine equilibrium + kinetics + economics: conditions, trade-offs, and the exact reasoning examiners want.
- Initial Rates Method (A Level)
Deduce reaction orders from initial-rate data and build the rate equation using comparisons, including the common table-reading and rounding traps.
- Mechanisms and Rate-determining Step (A Level)
Link mechanisms to rate equations using the slow step (RDS), and perform the ‘consistency check’ between mechanism and observed rate law.
- Rate Equations, Orders, Rate Constant (A Level)
Use rate equations to connect rate to concentration, deduce orders, and handle rate constant k units with methodical comparisons and checks.