CAIE A Level Chemistry 9701 · Reaction kinetics
Hydrogen peroxide decomposes slowly at room temperature into water and oxygen. The reaction is catalysed by manganese(IV) oxide.
Explain, in terms of activation energy and the Boltzmann distribution, how the catalyst increases the rate of this reaction.
4 marks, so the mark scheme is looking for about 4 separate creditworthy points. Making the same point twice in different words earns it once.
Explain means: Give the reasons or the mechanism: why or how something happens. Link each point to the next with because, so or which means. A list of facts with no links usually loses the reasoning marks.
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