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Rates of Reaction 2
Check out questions 3 and 4 to see what bumper cars and chemistry have in common!

Rates of Reaction 2

Rates of reaction links particle collisions to reaction speed. Learn how concentration, pressure, catalysts and surface area change collision frequency and help you predict which reactions happen faster.

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Fascinating Fact:

Increasing concentration in a solution increases reaction rate because there are more particles in the same volume. This increases collision frequency.

In GCSE Chemistry, collision theory explains reaction rates: particles must collide, and those collisions must be successful. Increasing concentration means more particles per unit volume, so collisions happen more often. For gases, higher pressure has a similar effect because particles are squeezed into a smaller space. Catalysts increase rate by lowering activation energy, while greater surface area exposes more particles for collisions in reactions involving solids.

Key Terms

  • Concentration: The amount of solute in a given volume of solution, often measured in g ÷ dm3 or mol ÷ dm3.
  • Collision frequency: How often particles collide each second in a reaction mixture.
  • Successful collision: A collision that leads to reaction because particles collide with enough energy and the right orientation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does concentration affect rate of reaction in GCSE Chemistry?

Higher concentration increases the rate because there are more reactant particles in the same volume. This raises collision frequency, so more successful collisions can occur each second.

What is the difference between concentration and pressure in reaction rates?

Concentration applies to solutions and means more particles in a fixed volume. Pressure applies to gases and increases rate by compressing gas particles into a smaller volume, increasing collisions.

Why does a catalyst increase the rate but not change the yield at equilibrium?

A catalyst lowers activation energy for both the forward and reverse reactions. It helps the system reach equilibrium faster, but it does not change the equilibrium position or the final yields.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .
Increasing the temperature of the reactants in a chemical reaction increases the rate of the chemical reaction. This is because...
particles collide less often, but they have more energy
particles collide more often and they collide with less energy
particles collide more often and they collide with more energy
particles collide less often with less energy
The higher the temperature, the more energy they have and the faster they move
2 .
Around room temperature, if we increase the temperature of a reaction by 10°C, the rate of the reaction will approximately...
halve
triple
stay the same
double
It is just an approximation but for most reactions, it is not far wrong
3 .
Why does increasing the concentration of reactants increase the rate of a reaction?
If the concentration of reactants is increased, there are more particles available to react
If the concentration of reactants is increased, the particles have more energy
If the concentration of reactants is increased, there are fewer particles available to react
If the concentration of reactants is increased, the particles are at the right angle to collide
Imagine bumper cars at the fair. The more cars there are, the more likely they are to 'bump' into each other
4 .
How does increasing the pressure increase the rate of a chemical reaction?
If the pressure is increased, the particles are further away from each other
If the pressure is increased, the particles are moving faster
If the pressure is increased, the particles have more energy
If the pressure is increased, the particles are closer together
Imagine again the bumper cars. If the bumper cars are closer together, they are more likely to collide. Increasing the pressure of a gas is the equivalent of increasing the concentration of a reaction taking place in the liquid state
5 .
A catalyst speeds up a chemical reaction by...
reducing the amount of energy required by the particles to react
increasing the amount of energy required by the particles to react
increasing the pressure of the reactants
increasing the temperature of the reactants
If the activation energy is lower, in any given system, more particles will have sufficient energy to react
6 .
If the surface area of a solid reactant is increased, why is the rate of reaction increased?
There are fewer particles on the surface of the solid available to react
There are more particles on the surface of the solid available to react
The particles are moving more quickly
The particles have more energy
This is why powders react faster than lumps of chemical
7 .
Scientists have developed catalysts that enable reactions to take place at lower temperatures. Why is this advantageous to the manufacturer and the environment?
It is cheaper for the manufacturer because less fuel is needed to provide the high temperatures
It is better for the environment because there is less fuel being burnt and so less carbon dioxide being emitted
It is better for the manufacturer because catalysts are cheap to buy
It is better for the environment because the catalyst does not harm the environment
It is better for the manufacturer because the catalyst can be reused
It is better for the environment because there are more toxic gases being released
It is better for the manufacturer because the catalyst is often very expensive
It is better for the environment because there are fewer toxic emissions
More product can be made in less time, using less energy and producing less pollution - a winning situation for everyone
8 .
Chemical reactions eventually stop. What is the usual reason for this?
Reactants run out
Catalyst runs out
Particles have used up all their energy
Products have taken the particles' energy
Reactions become slower and slower as they proceed because there are fewer and fewer particles to collide. When one or the other (or even both) of the reactants are used up, the reaction stops. We say it has reached completion
9 .
Why can icing sugar cause an explosion but sugar lumps can't?
The icing sugar has more energy
The icing sugar has more particles
The icing sugar has a larger surface area
The sugar lumps have more energy
These types of explosion are known as powder explosions and can happen in places where fine powders are being handled. Care must be taken that there are no naked flames or sparks
10 .
Some chemical reactions may take place twice as quickly if their temperature is raised by 10°C. If a particular reaction takes 32 minutes at 20°C, how long will it take if the temperature is raised to 60°C?
2 minutes
4 minutes
6 minutes
8 minutes
At 20°C = 32 mins, at 30°C = 16 mins, at 40°C = 8 mins, at 50°C = 4 mins, at 60°C = 2 mins
You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Rates of reaction

Author:  Kate Gardiner (Chemistry Educator & GCSE Quiz Writer)
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