07 Factors Influencing Rate Law

Temperature

Higher temperatures increase the average kinetic energy of molecules, making them move faster and collide more effectively, speeding up the reaction.

Concentration

Increased concentration of reactants leads to more frequent collisions, increasing reaction rate.

Surface Area & Physical State

Reactions happen faster when reactants are in the same phase. For solids, only surface molecules react, so increasing surface area speeds up reactions.

Nature of Reactants

Different substances have unique structures (ions, atoms, molecules), which affect how easily they react with others.

Catalysts

Speeds up reactions by offering an alternative reaction pathway, without being consumed in the process.

Rate Law

Shows how the rate depends on the concentration of reactants.