Certainly! Let's take a detailed look at how we can speed up the collisions between hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂) molecules to produce more water (H₂O).
According to the given chemical equation:
[tex]\[ 2 H_2(g) + O_2(g) \rightarrow 2 H_2O(g) \][/tex]
To increase the rate of reaction, we need to increase the frequency of collisions between the reactant molecules, H₂ and O₂. Here are the options provided and an analysis of each:
1. Use a less-intense source of heat on the reactants:
- Reducing the heat intensity would typically decrease the kinetic energy of the reactant molecules, leading to fewer collisions. This is not a method to speed up the reaction.
2. Maintain the same temperature of the reactants:
- Keeping the temperature constant will not change the current rate of collisions. Therefore, this will not speed up the reaction.
3. Place the reactants in a smaller container:
- Placing the reactants in a smaller container will increase their concentration (because the same number of molecules will occupy a smaller volume). Higher concentration means that the reactant molecules are closer together, leading to an increased frequency of collisions. This is a valid method to speed up the reaction.
4. Reduce the concentration of the reactants:
- Lowering the concentration would mean fewer molecules per unit volume, leading to fewer collisions. This would decrease the reaction rate.
Based on the analysis, the most effective way to speed up the collisions between hydrogen and oxygen molecules to produce more water is to place the reactants in a smaller container. This approach enhances the likelihood of collision by increasing the density of the gas molecules within a given space.
Therefore, the correct method is:
Place the reactants in a smaller container.
