Ineffective Collision

Definition

A collision between reactant molecules that does not lead to product formation because it lacks either sufficient kinetic energy or proper orientation or both.

Related terms

Potential Energy Surface: A theoretical construct in chemistry that describes the energy of a system as a function of its geometric configuration.

Transition State:

The state corresponding to the highest potential energy along the reaction path.

Stoichiometry:

The calculation of relative quantities of reactants and products in chemical reactions.