Rate of Chemical Reactions

Link to Collision Theory Animation: http://www.kscience.co.uk/animations/collision.htm

Cliff Notes

I. Rate of Reaction = how fast a reaction occurs

A. Examples:

slow reactions - rusting, rocks weathering

fast reactions - explosions, sodium in water, fuel burns in air with oxygen

B. Collision Theory: reactions happen when the reactants collide

II. Rate of Reaction Depends on 4 Things

A. Temperature (hotter = faster)

B. Catalyst (substance that makes a reaction faster without being used up)

C. Phase (gases are faster than liquids, liquids are faster than solids)

D. Concentration (more reactants = faster)