Factors Affecting the Rate of Reaction Flashcards

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Name four main factors that can change the rate of a chemical reaction.

Temperature; concentration (for solutions) or pressure (for gases); surface area of solids; presence of a catalyst.

How does increasing temperature change the rate of reaction?

It makes particles move faster, so collisions are more frequent, and more particles have enough energy to react. The rate increases.

How does increasing the concentration of a solution affect the rate and why?

It increases the rate because there are more particles in the same volume, so collisions happen more often.

For gases, how does increasing pressure affect the rate and why?

It increases the rate because gas particles are squeezed closer together, so they collide more often.

Why does a powdered solid react faster than the same mass in one lump?

Powder has a larger surface area, so more particles are exposed and collisions happen more often.

How can you increase the surface area of a solid reactant?

Break it into smaller pieces or grind it into a powder.

What is a catalyst?

A substance that speeds up a reaction without being used up.

How do catalysts speed up reactions?

They provide a pathway with lower activation energy. More collisions are successful.

Does a catalyst change the products made in a reaction?

No. It only changes how fast they form.

Why are catalysts useful in industry?

They speed up reactions and allow lower temperatures (and sometimes lower pressures), so less energy is used and costs are lower.