Factors Affecting Reaction Rate

Factors Affecting Reaction Rate

Factors affecting the speed of a reaction, but these do not affect the equilibrium or yield of the reaction.

Temperature

• Higher temperature increases the reaction rate.
• This is because it increases the kinetic energy of the particles, leading to more frequent and energetic collisions between them.

Concentration

• Higher concentration increases the reaction rate.
• More particles in a solution lead to more collisions, thus a higher reaction rate.

Surface Area

• Smaller particle size (greater surface area) increases the reaction rate.

Catalyst

• A catalyst speeds up a reaction by lowering the activation energy.
• A catalyst is neither a reactant nor a product in the reaction.

Pressure

• Higher pressure increases reaction rate for gases only.
• Increased pressure reduces volume and increases particle collisions.
• Liquids and solids are negligibly affected by pressure changes.

Acids and Bases