Factors affecting the rate of reaction

The rate of reaction depends on the five factors below

Total surface area of solid reactant Temperature of reactant Concentration of reactant Use of catalyst Pressure of gaseous reactant

Effect of total surface area on rate of reaction

For a fixed mass of solid reactant, the smaller the size of the reactant, the larger the total surface area thus the higher the rate of reaction

For example : powdered zinc will react faster with acid than granulated zinc Powdered zinc has larger total surface area compared to granulated zinc. Thus its rate of reaction is higher

10 cm

10 cm 10 cm

1 cm 1 cm
10 cm x 10 cm x 6 x 1 cube = 600 cm2 1 cm x 1 cm x 6 x 1000 cubes = 6000 cm2

Effect of total surface area on rate of reaction

the gradient of curve at t second for powdered zinc is higher than granulated zinc rate of reaction of powdered zinc is higher Because the total surface area is bigger than in granulated zinc
Volume of gas/cm3

II I

Time/min

 the rate of reaction is different the total volume of gas released is the same because the concentration and volume of HCl is the same

Effect of concentration on rate of reaction

When the concentration of reactant increases, the rate of reaction become higher

For example when Sodium thiosulphate reacts with sulphuric acid, it produce sodium sulphate, sulphur, sulphur dioxide and water

 The higher the concentration of solution used, the shorter the time taken for the reaction to complete It also can be plotted as..
Concentration of Na2S2O3 / mol dm-3

Concentration of Na2S2O3 / mol dm-3

Time / min

1/ time ( min-1)

 The rate of reaction is inversely proportional to time taken rate of reaction 1 time From the graph it can conclude concentration of 1 Na2S2O3 time
Rate of reaction concentration of Na2S2O3

Effect of temperature on rate of reaction

When the temperature of reactant increases, the rate of reaction become higher For example, the reaction of sodium thiosulphate and sulphuric acid Na2S2O3 + H2SO4 Na2SO4 + S + SO2 + H2O.

 The graph of temperature of Na2S2O3 against time shows as the temperature increases, the time taken for a reaction is shorter.

Temperature / oC

Time / s

 From the graph of temperature of Na2S2O3 against 1/time , it shows that Temperature 1 time Thus the rate of reaction ( 1/time) is higher When the temperature of sodium thiosulphate increases, the rate of reaction become higher

Temperature / oC

1 / time / s-1

Effect of catalyst on rate of reaction

A catalyst is a substance which alter the rate of a chemical reaction while it remains chemically unchanged at the end of the reaction. It lowers the activation energy Positive catalyst increase the rate of reaction whereas negative catalyst called inhibitor lower the rate of reaction

 In the presence of catalyst , a collision needs lesser energy to react successfully. As more collisions become successful, the reaction will be faster Special characteristic of a catalyst 1. Only a small amount of catalyst is needed to achieve a big change in the rate. Increasing the amount of catalyst used generally will increase the rate of reaction 2. Catalyst alter the rate of reaction but the amount of product formed remain unchanged with or without the catalyst

3. Catalyst is specific in its action. It can only catalyst a particular reaction but not other example
Iron powder in Haber process Vanadium (V) oxide in contact process Manganese (IV) oxide in the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide

4. Most catalyst are transition element or compound such as iron, copper(II) sulphate 5. Catalyst remain unchanged during the reaction.

6. The mass and chemical composition of the catalyst remain the same before and after the reaction 7. Catalyst may undergo physical changes eg from crystal to powder 8. Powdered catalyst is more effective than lump catalyst

2H2O2 2H2O + O2 Catalyst : Manganese dioxide powder Rate of reaction I (with a small amount of catalyst) is lower than the Rate of reaction II (with a larger amount of catalyst)

Total volume of gas (cm3)

II

Time (s)

Activation energy
The minimum energy that the reactant must possess at time of collision for a reaction to take place

Energy

Activation energy without catalyst

Activation energy with catalyst

reactant

product

Effect of pressure on rate of reaction

The rate of reaction will be effected by a change of pressure if the reaction involves gaseous reactant The higher the pressure the higher the rate of reaction