A molecule that is moving has kinetic
energy; faster the motion, the greater the
KE. When molecules collide some of the
KE is changed into vibrational energy of the
bonds . Sometimes there is enough energy
gained through collision to break a bond
and initiate reaction. If the energy is not
enough to break the bond, the molecules
bounce of one another with no reaction
occurring.
So there is some minimum collision energy
below which no reaction occurs.