Physical · Chemical Dynamics

Chemical Dynamics — Reaction-Rate Theories

CSIR-NET Chemical Sciences revision note · 8 sections · about 778 words

Exam-focused revision notes on Chemical Dynamics — Reaction-Rate Theories for CSIR-NET Chemical Sciences, GATE Chemistry and IIT-JAM — the core concepts, the formulas worth memorising, the traps that cost marks, and a quick-recall table.

The core idea

The empirical Arrhenius equation fits the data but does not explain why reactions speed up with temperature. Collision theory pictures reaction as successful collisions; transition-state theory pictures it as passage over a barrier — and brings in entropy.

What this note covers

  • 1The core idea
  • 2Collision Theory
  • 3Transition-State Theory (Activated-Complex Theory)
  • 4Meaning of ΔH and ΔS
  • 5Link between the two theories and Arrhenius
  • 6Potential-energy surface & reaction coordinate
  • 7Common traps students miss
  • 830-second recall table

Read the full note

The remaining 7 sections — including the worked examples, the common-traps list and the quick-recall table — are part of ChemVidya Full Access, along with 6,000+ practice questions.

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