Factors Affecting the Rate of Chemical Reaction
There are various factors affecting the rate of any chemical reaction, some of these factors are:
Nature of the Reactants: The nature of the substances participating in a reaction impacts its rate. For example, the reaction of sodium with hydrochloric acid occurs more faster than its reaction with acetic acid. This is because hydrochloric acid is a stronger acid than acetic acid, rendering it more reactive.
Concentration of the Reactants: Altering the quantity of reactants also influences the rate of a reaction. Concentration denotes the amount of substance present in a specific volume of a solution. Higher concentrations imply a greater number of particles per unit volume, leading to a faster reaction. For example, granulated zinc exhibits a more rapid reaction with 2M hydrochloric acid compared to 1M hydrochloric acid.
Temperature: Higher temperatures impact the majority of reactions. The application of heat to the reactants provides the necessary energy to break chemical bonds, accelerating the reaction rate
Pressure: When gaseous reactants are involved, increasing the pressure impacts the reaction rate. This results from the fact that heightened pressure causes the reacting particles to come into closer proximity, leading to more frequent collisions.
Catalyst: A catalyst is a substance that enhances the rate of a reaction without itself being consumed in the process. For example, when potassium chlorate decomposes into potassium chloride and oxygen gas, it does so at a slow rate. However, the inclusion of manganese dioxide as a catalyst significantly accelerates the reaction.
Surface Area of Reactants: When solid reactants are involved in a reaction, their finely powdered form reacts more readily than larger chunks or particles. This is due to the increased surface area provided by powdering the reactants, allowing for more frequent collisions and the availability of additional energy upon particle collision. Consequently, the reaction rate is heightened.
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Chemical Reactions
Chemical Reaction is the disruption of existing bonds within reactant molecules and the creation of fresh bonds in product molecules, culminating in the formation of a new substance. These reactions are all around us, spanning from the biochemical processes in our bodies that extract energy from food to the source of sunlight, where chemical reactions are used to produce the light we receive.
In this article, we will understand the meaning and characteristics of Chemical Reactions. This article will cover the various types of Chemical Reactions: Combination or Synthesis Reaction, Decomposition Reaction, Single Displacement Reaction, and Double Displacement Reaction. We also discuss factors affecting the rate of Reaction and practice questions to understand this article.
Table of Content
- What is a Chemical Reaction?
- Characteristics of a Chemical Reaction
- How would we know when a Reaction has taken place?
- Chemical Equation
- Balancing a Chemical Equation
- Types of Chemical Reaction