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1 mark · Easy

State the minimum condition that must be met for a chemical reaction to occur between two particles, according to collision theory.

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Particles must collide with energy greater than or equal to the activation energy.

Also accept: Particles must collide with enough energy (the activation energy) to react.; Particles must collide with the activation energy or more.

Common mistakes: Particles must collide (missing the energy requirement).

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Marking points

B1 · 1 mark · States that particles must collide with energy greater than or equal to activation energy (or sufficient energy) for reaction to occur.

Worked solution

According to collision theory, a reaction can only occur when particles collide with energy equal to or greater than the activation energy.