C10: Reaction Kinetics, Collision Theory and Catalysts
Official Cambridge & Imperial ESAT specification requirements for Reaction Kinetics, Collision Theory and Catalysts on the Chemistry paper. Understand the syllabus boundaries, spot distractor traps engineered by examiners, and master the 2-step Sub-90 shortcuts that compress solve time well below the 88.8-second cutoff.
Official Syllabus Subtopics
Requirements specified in the UAT-UK framework
- 1Collision theory: activation energy Eₐ and orientation of particles
- 2Factors affecting reaction rate: temperature, concentration/pressure, surface area, and catalysts
- 3Measuring rates from volume-time and mass-loss graphs
- 4Calculating instantaneous reaction rate from tangent gradients (Δy/Δx)
- 5Catalysts providing alternative reaction pathways with lower activation energy
Sub-90 Exam Speed Tips
How top candidates solve this spec under the 88.8s clock
Raising temperature by 10°C approximately doubles reaction rate because a far greater fraction of molecules exceed activation energy Eₐ.
Catalysts do NOT alter equilibrium positions or enthalpy change ΔH; they accelerate forward and reverse rates equally.
Examiners engineer distractor options using common algebraic expansions and sign slips. Always test structural ratios or invariants before calculating arithmetic values.
Tested Topics in Specification C10
Master the individual question patterns and Sub-90 shortcuts for this specification.
Reaction Rate Tangent Gradients, Volume-Time Plateau Curves & Catalyst Foils
Decompose any rate graph into two independent numbers: (1) Initial Slope at t=0 = Concentration / Temp / Catalyst / Surface Area; (2) Final Plateau Height = Moles of Limiting Reactant (n = cV).
Ready to Master Specification C10 Under Exam Conditions?
Practice timed questions under the authentic Pearson VUE interface with live split stopwatch pacing, dry-wipe scratchpad, and distractor forensics.