Chemistry 30

Overview

Chemical reactions occur at different rates. In this experiment you will consider some of the key factors that influence the rate of a reaction:

• nature of reactants - particle size
• temperature
• concentration
• catalysts

According to the collision theory, the rate of a reaction depends on the frequency of collisions between reacting particles. The more frequent the collisions, the faster the rate of the reaction. However, in order for the collisions to be effective, the particles must collide with sufficient energy (activation energy). Furthermore, the particles must collide with the proper orientation.

The factors that will be examined in this lab influence reaction rate by either increasing how often collisions occur or by making collisions more effective.