Skip to content
    Chemistry A-Level

    successful collisions

    What successful collisions means in Chemistry A-Level, as defined for AQA, OCR.

    Definitions of successful collisions

    Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.

    Check what you remember

    Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain successful collisions in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.

    Reference: AQA

    The same fixed proportion of collisions has energy greater than or equal to Eₐ, so these become more frequent and the rate rises.
    AQA · Effect of concentration and pressure (study guide)
    Collisions in which particles have at least the activation energy and the correct orientation, so that a reaction occurs.
    OCR · Reaction rates
    Collisions that produce a reaction, which rate depends on the frequency of rather than the total collision frequency.
    AQA · Collision theory (study guide)
    A higher frequency of successful collisions increases the rate of reaction.
    OCR · Reaction rates

    Topics that use successful collisions

    Related terms

    Using successful collisions in the exam

    Check the command word and mark scheme for your exact question. After comparing your explanation with the reference, use the term in an answer on the linked topic. This practice does not predict an exam mark.

    Practise Chemistry questions

    Create a free account to answer exam-style questions on this topic and get feedback on your answers.

    Start free

    A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge

    All Chemistry A-Level terms