Question

The illustration depicts possible routes of collisions in the reaction CH₂CH₂ + HCl CH₃CH₂Cl. Which of the following statements is true?
A. The chlorine atom does not participate in the reaction.

B. The hydrogen atom does not participate in the reaction.

C. The speed of the collision is essential.

D. The orientation of the reactants is critical.

Answer 1

Answer: The correct answer is Option D.

Explanation:

For two species to react, the collision between the atoms must be effective.

The chemical equation for the reaction illustrated in the image follows:

$CH_2CH_2+HCl\rightarrow CH_3CH_2Cl$

Chlorine and hydrogen atoms are getting attached to the reactant, therefore they are participating in the reaction.

There are 2 factors on which the effective collisions depends:

1. Energy factor: This factor states that the colliding molecules must have energy greater than the threshold energy.
2. Orientation factor: This factor states that the colliding molecules must have a proper orientation at the time of collision.

In the image illustrated, the orientation of the reactant is not proper for the collision. Hence, the correct answer is Option D.

Answer 2

The best option is D. The orientation of the reactants is critical. 
Since chlorine and hydrogen both participate in the reaction and speed is not essential.