Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
A successful collision in chemistry refers to reactant molecules colliding with enough force and correct orientation so that they break old bonds and form new ones, leading to a chemical reaction.
This theory explains how chemical reactions occur and why reaction rates differ. It's like understanding why some puzzles are harder to solve than others.