Herein, we present an engaging description of the existent analogy between social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic and the collision cross-section of particles defined in the collisional model for a chemical reaction. We also establish the link between collision cross-sections and kinetic rate constants to bridge concepts of basic epidemiological models and fundamental chemical kinetics. Because the COVID-19 pandemic is a global phenomenon, using guided inquiry as part of an active-learning activity online or in the classroom is the best approach to help students gain knowledge and develop critical thinking simultaneously.

Social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic: An analogy to explain collision cross sections in chemical kinetics

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.