Ch 16 Factors That Affect Reaction Rates Flashcards
Give an example of how the nature of reactants affect the reaction rates
The reaction of zinc with silver nitrate occurs faster because it gets higher on the activity series and copper
How does concentration affect reaction rates
Concentration makes more molecules available to collide which ultimately increases the reaction rate
Give an example of how concentration increases reaction rate
The concentration of oxygen in the air surrounding an open candle it’s only at about 20%. But when a jar is put over the candle the oxygen becomes 100%.
Because the oxygen is more concentrated the candle burns more rapidly because there is an increase reaction rate
How does surface area affect reaction rate
Greater surface area allows more molecules to collide with each other
Give an example of how surface area affect reaction rate
The greater surface area of steel wool means that more collisions can occur between the middle and the oxygen.
How does temperature affect reaction rate
Increasing the temperature of a reaction increases the frequency of collisions and therefore the rate of the reaction
Increasing the temperature also increases the kinetic energy of the particles. More of the collisions at high temperatures have enough energy to overcome the activation energy barrier and react
What’s a catalyst and how does it work
The catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a reaction without being consumed in the reaction
They lower the activation energy required for a reaction to take place which increases the average reaction rate
What are inhibitors and how do they work
Inhibitors slow down reaction rates or inhibits reactions. Some stop reactions from occurring at all
How they work
1.) Some bock lower energy pathways and that’s where is the activation energy of a reaction
2.)Others react with catalyst and destroy it or prevent it from Performing its function
What is a Heterogeneous catalyst
A catalyst that exist in a physical states different from that of the reaction it catalyzes 
What is a homogeneous catalyst
A catalyst that exist in the same physical states as the reaction it catalyzes
