Factors Affecting Reaction Rate

Flashcards about factors that affect the rate of reaction.

Nature of Reactants

Depends on the particular reactant and product conditions; scientists do not have the ability to change this factor.

Surface Area

Increasing surface area (smaller pieces), increases the rate of reaction.

Increases the number of reactants in contact with each other which increases the number of collisions.

Temperature

Increasing temperature, increases the rate of reaction. Increases the velocity of the particles which increases the number of collisions.

Concentration

Increasing concentration, increases the rate of reaction. Increases the number of particles per unit volume which increases the number of collisions.

Catalyst

Increases the rate of reaction by providing an energy pathway with a lower activation energy.

Enzyme

A biological catalyst that speeds up reactions.

Lock and Key Mechanism

A model explaining how an enzyme interacts with a substrate at the active site to catalyze a reaction.

Inhibitor

Slows the rate of reaction by blocking the activation site.