Question

'Would the probability factor in the rate equation be greater or lower if the particles colliding were individual atoms instead of molecules? '

I want to say it would be lower because atoms have less kinetic energy than molecules due to their lesser mass, but would their orientation make it easier for them to collide effectively since ghey aren't as' weirdly-shaped' as molecules?

Thanks!

Answer 1

I don't believe the "orientation" of an atom matters; i.e., there are more ways to orient a molecule because atoms, except for shifting electron clouds are more or less in the same orientation all the time.