Chemical Reactions

Part 4: Rates of Chemical Reactions

Introduction
Some reactions are quick, others are slow.

Rusting

Combustion

The area of chemistry that studies the

speed of reactions is called kinetics.

Rate of Reactions
The speed of a reaction is called its rate.
Specifically, the rate of a reaction
measures how fast the reactants are
changed to products in a certain time.
To understand reaction
rates, we must first
learn about Collision
Theory

Collision Theory
In order for substances to react, they must
physically collide together.

Reaction!
During a collision, old bonds are broken
and new bonds are formed.

1. Reactions Need Energy

Firstly, for two reactants to collide with
success, they must have enough energy.

Reaction!

To give the reactants more energy,

you must increase the temperature.

2. Reactions Need Orientation

Secondly, for two reactants to collide with
success, they must be lined up properly.

No Reaction

If the reactants are orientated

correctly, the collision will be successful.

2. Reactions Need Orientation

Secondly, for two reactants to collide with
success, they must be lined up properly.

Reaction!

Note:
Orientation
is orientated
by random chance
If
the reactants
are
correctly,
be successful.
only!the collisionItwill
cannot
truly be
controlled.

Increasing the Rate of

Reaction
The rate of reaction can be increased.
Collision Theory states that as the
number of collisions (per second)
increases, so will the rate of reaction.
The chance of 2 reactants colliding
h temperature
h concentration
can be increased
in 4 ways:
h surface area

Use of a catalyst

Effect of Temperature
Increasing the temperature increases the rate.
As temperature increases, the reactants
gain more kinetic energy. This increases
the chance of having successful
collisions.

Low Temperature

High Temperature

Effect of Temperature
A low temperature means that the
kinetic energy (KE) of the reactants is
low.

No Reaction

Even if the reactants DO collide,

they DONT have enough energy
to react.

Effect of Temperature
A high temperature means that the
kinetic energy (KE) of the reactants is high!

Reaction!

When the reactants collide, they have enough

force to result in a successful reaction.

Effect of Concentration
Increasing the concentration increases the rate.

Increasing the quantity of one or more

reactants makes the collisions
more likely and more frequent.

Low Concentration

High Concentration

Effect of Surface Area

Increasing surface area increases the rate.
Breaking a reactant into smaller pieces
(or a powder) makes more of it exposed
to collide with the other reactant.

Low Surface Area

High Surface Area

Catalysts
Using a catalyst increases the rate.
A catalyst is a substance that speeds up
the reaction without being consumed.

Catalysts making it
easier for the
reactants to come
together
and
react.

Reaction!

Any Questions?