C2 - Rates of Reaction

Question 1

How can we speed up a chemical reaction?

Answer 1

Increase the temperature.
Increasing the temperature gives the particles more energy so that they move faster to give more successful collisions which gives a faster rate of reaction.

Increasing the surface area.
Increasing the surface area by using smaller pieces means more particles are exposed so there is more chance of successful collisions so there is a faster rate of reaction.

Increase the concentration.
Using a more concentrated solution means there are more particles so there is more chance of collisions so there is a faster rate of reaction.

Using a catalyst.
Lowers up the activation energy so speeds up the activation energy and is not used up itself.

Question 2

Why are catalysts important to industrial processes?

Answer 2

They can greatly reduce the cost of industrial processes.

Question 3

Define activation energy

Answer 3

The minimum amount of energy with which particles much collide together to start the reaction.

Question 4

How can the rate of reaction be measured?

Answer 4

a) Measure how quickly the products are formed

b) Measure how quickly the reactants run out.

Question 5

What is collision theory?

Answer 5

For any reaction to happen particles must collide. They must collide with a minimum amount of energy called the activation energy.