[cvc121]

Hi,

What causes the following reaction to react so slowly?
2I^- + S2O8²⁺  I2 2SO4^2-

I researched into this and determined that some factors affecting the rate of a reaction include collision rate, force of collisions, required activation energy, and proper collision geometry (angle at which the particles collide).

With respect to this reaction, can someone explain in brief and simply, why it reacts so slowly?

Thanks! All help is very much appreciated.

[mjc123]

Well, for a start, it's S₂O₈^2-, not ²⁺. Does that suggest anything to you as a starting point?

[cvc121]

Still a bit confused...so its charge has to do with the rate of reaction? Can you kindly explain a little further?

[mjc123]

You're trying to get two negatively charged species to react with each other.

[cvc121]

Oh, so the two species will repel and therefore will have trouble colliding at the proper orientation resulting in a much slower reaction? Am I on the right track?

[mjc123]

I'm sure the full answer is more complicated, but that's a good place to start.