Factors that affect the rate of reaction

• collision theory is the theory that for particles to react they have to collide with each other with sufficient energy, otherwise known as the activation energy
• If particles collide with less energy than activation energy nothing will happen
• The rate can depend on the amount of energy the particles have and the frequency of the collisions.
• As the temperature of a reaction increases particles gain more energy. They will move faster and collide more frequently. They will collide with more energy also, so are more likely to exceed activation energy.
• Concentration and pressure both refer to how many particles there are per unit of volume
• When concentration/pressure is increased there are more particles per unit of volume. This makes collisions more frequent and increases the rate of reaction.
• A higher surface area will increase the rate of reaction. Having the highest surface area : volume ratio means the frequency of collisions will be higher. This will increase the rate of reaction.
• Out of a solid block, small chunks, and powder, what has the highest surface area?

  Powder
• Catalysts are substances that speed up the reaction without being used up themselves
• catalysts reduce the activation energy required. This means particles need less energy and will collide more successfully more often.

  
• Catalysts provide an alternative reaction pathway
• transition metals are very common catalysts