Kinetics simulator
Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution explorer
Make the temperature change unmistakable: the peak moves right, becomes lower and the high-energy tail grows. Switch between AQA and OCR A emphasis.
Interactive graph: change temperature to move the distribution peak and alter the area beyond the activation energy.
Current distribution
300 K reference
Activation energy
Catalysed pathway
At 400 K the teal curve is broader than the 300 K reference. Increase the temperature and watch the peak move right and down while the area beyond Ea increases.
What this visual model represents
The graph uses a correctly normalised Maxwell–Boltzmann-shaped distribution on a relative energy axis. The area under each temperature curve is kept constant, so a broader distribution must have a lower peak. Numerical energy values and reacting fractions are illustrative rather than measured data for a particular gas.
What changes when temperature rises?
- The distribution becomes broader.
- The peak becomes lower and moves to higher energy.
- The total area under the curve stays the same when the number of molecules is unchanged.
- A greater fraction of molecules has energy equal to or greater than the activation energy.
What does a catalyst change?
A catalyst provides an alternative pathway with a lower activation energy. It does not change the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution, the mean energy or the position of the original activation-energy line.
AQA and OCR A emphasis
AQA questions may explicitly refer to the most probable energy and mean energy. OCR A questions more often assess the shape, area, activation energy and effect of temperature or a catalyst. The board switch changes the default labels without hiding the supplementary science.