Rates of reaction - KS3

The greater the frequency of successful collisions between reactant particles, the
greater the reaction rate.

Rate of reaction
The rate of a reaction is a measure of how quickly a reactant is used up, or
a product is formed.

Collision theory

For a chemical reaction to happen:

 reactant particles must collide with each other

 the particles must have enough energy for them to react
A collision that produces a reaction is called a successful collision. The activation
energy is the minimum amount of energy needed for a collision to be successful. It
is different for different reactions.

There are different ways to determine the rate of a reaction. The method
chosen usually depends on the reactants and products involved, and how
easy it is to measure changes in them.

The mean rate of reaction can be calculated using either of these two
equations:

Meas
uring mass

The change in mass of a reactant or product can be followed during a

reaction. This method is useful when carbon dioxide is a product which
leaves the reaction container. It is not suitable for hydrogen and other
gases with a small relative formula mass, Mr.

The units for rate are usually g/s or g/min.

Measuring volume

The change in volume of a reactant or product can be followed during a

reaction. This method is useful when a gas leaves the reaction container.
The volume of a gas is measured using a gas syringe, or an upside
down burette or measuring cylinder.

The units for rate are usually cm3 s-1 or cm3 min-1.

Graphs

The rate of reaction can be analysed by plotting a graph of mass or volume

of product formed against time. The graph shows this for two reactions.
 the steeper the line, the greater the rate of reaction
 fast
reactions - seen when the line becomes horizontal - finish sooner
than slow reactions
 Rates of Reaction Worksheet
1 There are four main factors that affect the rate of reaction. These are:
a) C......................... . This is a measure of how crowded the particles are in a solution
and the frequencies of c........................ .
b) S........................ a......................... . This is a measure of how much solid is exposed to
reaction and therefore how many c............................... take place.
c) T......................... . This affects the energy of the particles and how quickly they
c...................... . It also affects the f................... with which the particles collide and
how e.............................. the collisions are. The energy required for any reaction to
take place is called the a......................... energy for that reaction.
d) The presence of a c............................ . These speed up a chemical reaction but is
u............................. chemically. They work by lowering the activation e..................... for
the reaction.
2. Draw lines on these graphs to show how the rate of each reaction changes.

Volume Volume
of gas of gas
produce produce
d (ml) d (ml)

Draw a line for a reaction happening at Draw a line for a reaction happening at a
Time (s) Time (s)
a high temperature and a line for one high concentration and a line for one at a
at a low temperature. Label each line. low concentration. Label each line.

Volume Volume
of gas of gas
produce produce
d (ml) d (ml)

Draw a line for a reaction with a Draw a line for a reaction happening with
catalysts and one without. Label each a big surface area and a line for one at a
Time (s)
line. small surface Time
area.(s)
Label each line.
 3. Which of the two graphs shows the amount of
product during a reaction and which one shows how
much reactant there is?

4. Color code the boxes to match up a set of 3. The first one has been done for
you.