## Boltzmann Distribution and Arrhenius Equation

$K = \frac{k_{forward}}{k_{reverse}}$

Kristen Hazama 1I
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2015 3:00 am

### Boltzmann Distribution and Arrhenius Equation

On page 75 of the course reader, it says that the "Boltzmann Distribution gives the fraction of collisions with energy Ea or greater at Temp T." Can someone please explain in greater detail what this fraction means? In addition, below the Arrhenius Equation, what does the steric factor mean?

Hao 1I
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Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2016 3:00 pm
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### Re: Boltzmann Distribution and Arrhenius Equation

The steric factor, denoted as P, takes into account the relative orientation of the molecules. Molecules have to be oriented in a certain way in order for the collision to break / form the bonds. The steric factor is used to calculate the rate constant, k, where k = (steric factor, P) x (collision frequency, A) x e^(-Emin / RT). The "fraction of collisions" means that the value of the Boltzman Distribution is between 0 and 1 because those are the range for e^(-Emin / RT) as T approaches infinity or 0.