C8.2 Collision theory and surface area

Question 1

Name 2 factors which affect the rates of chemical reactions? (2)

Answer 1

Factors which affect the rates of chemical reactions include the surface area of solid reactants.

Question 2

How does changing the surface area of chemical reactants affect the rate of chemical reactions? (1)

Answer 2

Increasing the surface area leads to an increase in the rate of chemical reactions.

Question 3

Describe collision theory. (3)

Answer 3

Collision theory explains how various factors affect rates of reactions.
According to this theory, chemical reactions can occur only when reacting particles collide with each other and with sufficient energy.
The minimum amount of energy that particles must have to react is called the activation energy.

Question 4

How does increasing the surface area of solid reactants affect the frequency of collisions?

Answer 4

Increasing the surface area of solid reactants increases the frequency of collisions and so increases the rate of reaction.