Using the simulation
This simulation allows the user to manipulate the conditions in a virtual experiment. (RSC dsiclaimer required regarding use as agreed with Richard Burton)
When you explore the simulation give some careful thought to any pitfalls you can see in using this with your students. The stimulus questions are designed to help you.
In this simulation particles A and BC collide with each other. You will need to look carefully at the simulation and consider what is happening to the reacting particles. Use the on-screen tools to change the conditions. Note that the reaction is reversible so it is possible to re-form A and BC from the products that are created in the "forward" reaction.
It is a good idea to play with the single collision and the multiple collision tabs before trying the rate experiment tab. Use the controls on the RHS of the screen to control the conditions. It is best to only start off with 5 particles of A and 5 of BC. Use the bar graph setting so you can see a visual representation of the number of particles.
For example, we can use this resource as a stimulus for discussion with students However we must note that although we are looking at two reacting species A and B-C the reaction is reversible so we strictly speaking we have four reacting species as the chemical change can, if the conditions are right, be reversed. This may be worth considering very carefully when using this with students.