Factors Affecting Chemical Reaction Rate

Factors Affecting Chemical Reaction Rate

Concentration

• Increasing the concentration of reactants increases the reaction rate
• More reactant molecules are available for collision, resulting in a higher probability of successful collisions

Temperature

• Increasing the temperature increases the reaction rate
• Higher temperatures provide more energy for reactant molecules, increasing the frequency and success of collisions

Surface Area

• Increasing the surface area of reactants increases the reaction rate
• More reactant molecules are exposed, increasing the probability of successful collisions

Catalysts

• Catalysts increase the reaction rate without being consumed by the reaction
• Catalysts lower the activation energy required for a reaction to occur

Pressure

• Increasing the pressure increases the reaction rate (for gases)
• Higher pressure forces reactant molecules closer together, increasing the frequency of collisions

Collision Theory

• Chemical reactions occur when reactant molecules collide with sufficient energy and proper orientation
• The frequency and success of collisions determine the reaction rate

Activation Energy

• The minimum energy required for a reaction to occur
• Reactions with higher activation energy have slower reaction rates

Rate-Determining Step

• The slowest step in a reaction mechanism determines the overall reaction rate
• Catalysts can target the rate-determining step to increase the reaction rate

Reaction Rate Expressions

• Mathematical expressions that describe the reaction rate in terms of reactant concentrations and rate constants
• Used to predict and analyze reaction rates under different conditions

Factors Affecting Chemical Reaction Rate

• Increasing reactant concentration increases reaction rate because more molecules are available for collision, resulting in a higher probability of successful collisions
• Temperature increase boosts reaction rate as higher temperatures provide more energy for reactant molecules, increasing the frequency and success of collisions
• Larger surface area of reactants increases reaction rate because more reactant molecules are exposed, increasing the probability of successful collisions
• Catalysts increase reaction rate without being consumed by the reaction, and lower the activation energy required for a reaction to occur
• Pressure increase (for gases) boosts reaction rate as higher pressure forces reactant molecules closer together, increasing the frequency of collisions

Collision Theory

• Chemical reactions occur when reactant molecules collide with sufficient energy and proper orientation
• Reaction rate is determined by the frequency and success of collisions between reactant molecules

Activation Energy

• Minimum energy required for a reaction to occur, and reactions with higher activation energy have slower reaction rates
• Activation energy can be lowered by catalysts to increase reaction rate

Rate-Determining Step

• The slowest step in a reaction mechanism determines the overall reaction rate, and catalysts can target this step to increase reaction rate
• Rate-determining step is the slowest point in a reaction, and understanding it is crucial to optimizing reaction rates

Reaction Rate Expressions

• Mathematical expressions that describe reaction rate in terms of reactant concentrations and rate constants
• Used to predict and analyze reaction rates under different conditions, and to optimize reaction rates for desired outcomes