Effect of Surface Area on Rate

• What is the relationship between the effective surface area of solid reactants and the rate of chemical reactions?

  Increased effective surface area leads to an increased rate of chemical reactions.
• Why can chemical reactions only take place when reacting particles collide with sufficient energy?

  Because they need to overcome the activation energy barrier.
• What determines the rate of a chemical reaction?

  The rate of a chemical reaction is determined by the frequency of successful collisions.
• How does the surface area of a solid reactant affect the rate of a reaction?

  • More surface area allows more particles to collide with reactants.
  • Increases the frequency of successful collisions.
  • Results in a higher rate of reaction.
• What happens to the particles in a solid reactant that are not on the surface?

  They cannot react with the particles in solution.
• What is the significance of surface area to volume ratio in solid reactants?

  • Smaller blocks have a greater surface area to volume ratio.
  • More particles are available on the surface for collisions.
  • Increases the rate of reaction.
• How can the effective surface area of a solid reactant be investigated in a practical setup?

  By measuring the volume of gas produced or the mass lost during the reaction.
• What is the role of a gas syringe in measuring the rate of reaction?

  • Provides more accurate measurements of gas volume.
  • Reduces errors from rapid bubble formation.
• Why is it important to prevent acid from splashing out of the flask during the reaction?

  To avoid anomalous results in mass measurements.
• What gas is produced when marble chips react with hydrochloric acid?

  Carbon dioxide gas.