Reaction rates

• The presence of a catalyst can also affect reaction rates. Catalysts can increase the rate of a reaction by providing an alternative reaction pathway with lower activation energy.
• Increasing the temperature of a reaction increases the kinetic energy of reactants and accelerates their collision with the correct orientation for reaction.
• Temperature is a factor that affects reaction rates. Generally, an increase in temperature leads to an increase in reaction rate.
• Concentration of reactants is another factor that affects reaction rates. Higher concentrations of reactants usually result in faster reaction rates.
• Increasing temperature increases the kinetic energy of particles, which leads to more collisions between molecules and higher probability of successful collisions.
• Reactions are exothermic when they release heat as products form, while endothermic reactions absorb heat from the surroundings during the formation of products.
• Surface area is important when considering solid reactants. The greater the surface area exposed to the environment, the faster the reaction will occur due to increased contact with other substances.