Safety boundary
Use energy-profile diagrams, supplied datasets, and approved simulations only. No catalyst/reaction demonstrations are required.
Explicit chemistry instruction
Mechanistic chemistry explains how a reaction may occur, not just the before/after stoichiometry.
A good mechanism is consistent with the overall equation, intermediates, rate behavior, and energy evidence.
Catalysts alter the route through that mechanism while preserving overall reactant/product energetics.
Vocabulary: pathway model; evidence; catalyst; rate control; model limit.
Worked example
A catalyzed mechanism may add extra elementary steps yet react faster because the highest activation barrier is lower.
Guided question
Write a CER comparing a catalyzed and uncatalyzed pathway using an energy profile and rate evidence.
Independent work
- Analyze one mechanism.
- Interpret one energy profile.
- Write one catalyst CER.
- Record one corrected misconception.
Spiral retrieval bridge
- From Week 20: distinguish collision frequency from successful-collision fraction.
- From Week 19: interpret rate data from graph slope.
- From Week 14: read a balanced equation without assuming it reveals the reaction mechanism.
Misconception check
More mechanism steps do not necessarily mean a slower reaction.
Formative check
What must remain unchanged when a catalyst changes the pathway?
Reveal response
The overall reactants/products and overall thermodynamic energy difference.
Mentor evidence conference
Ask Archaemenes to audit mechanism consistency, rate evidence, catalyst claims, and model limits.
Teacher guidance
Foundation: Use a CER frame.
Core: Integrate mechanism and energy evidence.
Extended: Evaluate competing pathways and missing evidence.