Chemistry: Rate and Extent of Chemical Change
Overview
Students will use their prior knowledge of chemical reactions and rates from KS3 as a foundation to study how rates of reaction can be calculated, and then explained using collision theory. The topic then focuses on reversible reactions (including the energy changes involved from KS3), and dynamic equilibria. Here the students will see how these can be used to a chemist’s advantage, using real-world contexts like the Haber Process.
The main SMSC/Personal Development content of this topic includes: PD2 – Developing mutual respect / tolerance (practical work), PD15 – Sense of enjoyment and fascination and PD17 – Reflecting on experiences.
The main UN Rights of a Child covered are No.13 – Sharing thoughts freely, No.17 – Access to Information and No.28 – Access to Education.
Example Key Words
Reactants
Chemicals present before a chemical reaction. They react together to form new products.
Reversible Reaction
A chemical reaction which is able to be reversed and can have both a forwards and backwards direction.
Collision Theory
A theory used to predict the rates of chemical reactions based on the concept that for a chemical reaction to occur between 2 reactant particles, those 2 particles must collide.
Equilibrium
This is reached when a reversible reaction is in a closed system, and both the forwards and reverse reactions are occurring at the same rate.
Rate of Reaction
A measure of how rapidly a reactant is used up, or a product is formed, within a given time.