question_answer

  In some reactions, it is found that a large number of colliding molecules have energy more than the threshold value, yet they are quite slow. Explain.

Answer:

                  In addition to activation energy, another important factor which influences the reaction rate is the orientation factor. This means that if the colliding molecules are not properly oriented at the time of collisions, still most of the collisions will be wasted without yielding any product though the reactants may have energy more than the activation energy. Such reactions will be quite slow.