Collision theory

• what assumptions are required for collision theory?

  • moleculars are considered hard spheres
  • undergo elastic collisions
  • no forces of interaction prior to collision
• Define collision theory:

  The number of collisions per unit time and per volume
• what are collisions proportional to?

  Collision cross-section

  absolute number of A and B per unit volume

  average relative speed
• Are collisions the rate determining step in first-order reactions?

  Not necessarily