Question

Using the PHeT lab you accessed in part 1 and 2, in the box labeled "current amounts" enter 50 A and 50 BC particles. Predict what will happen when the temperature is raised so it is above the activation energy max.

Answer 1

In a typical physical or chemical context, when you increase the temperature of a system where you have a certain amount of particles (like 50 A and 50 BC in your simulation), several effects may occur, especially when the temperature exceeds the activation energy threshold.

1. **Increased Kinetic Energy**: Raising the temperature increases the kinetic energy of the particles. This means they move faster and collide more frequently and with greater energy.

2. **Increased Reaction Rate**: If the temperature is raised above the activation energy for the reaction between particles A and BC, more particles will have enough energy to overcome that activation energy barrier. This will lead to an increased rate of reaction between A and BC, resulting in more products being formed quickly.

3. **Potentially New Equilibrium**: The reaction might shift towards products if the reaction is exothermic or could require a new equilibrium point to be established if the reaction dynamics change significantly.

4. **Thermal Decomposition or Reactions**: If the temperature is sufficiently high, it could lead to other reactions occurring, including possible thermal decomposition if the involved species are unstable at high temperatures.

5. **Effect on Particle Distribution**: The distribution of kinetic energies among the particles may widen (broadening of the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution), leading to a higher proportion of particles exceeding the activation energy for the desired reaction.

In summary, raising the temperature significantly will likely enhance the rate of reaction between A and BC particles due to increased energy and more frequent collisions, leading to a faster formation of products.