Rate of reaction is the speed with which a chemical reaction takes place.

The surface area to volume ratio is the surface area of a solid relative to its volume.

The independent variable is the single variable that is changed in an investigation.

The dependent variable is the single variable that is measured or observed in an investigation.

The control variables are variables that are kept constant in an investigation.

Surface area and rate: practical

Chemistry

In the Industrial Chemistry unit, pupils will build on their knowledge of reaction rates to learn about the industrial processes involving chemical reactions and the factors that affect them.

In the Energy Changes in Reactions unit, pupils learned about bond breaking, bond making, and reaction profiles.

Rate of reaction

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

What is the effect of increasing the surface area on the rate of reaction?

smaller marble chips have a smaller surface area

smaller marble chips have a larger surface area

How does the surface area of smaller marble chips compare to larger chips of the same mass?

it makes the particles collide with less energy

How does a larger surface area of reactants affect the frequency of particle collisions?

we can use the results to calculate the mass of gas produced from the reaction

it allows us to measure the production of a solid

we can determine the time taken for a colour change to occur

Why is measuring the change in mass useful for determining the rate of reaction?

it lowers the temperature so the particles have less energy

it increases the concentration so the particles are more likely to collide

it exposes more particles so there are more collisions per second

it increases the mass of the solid reactant

it changes the state of the solid reactant

Why does increasing the surface area of a reactant make a reaction faster?

the concentration of the reacting solution

In a rate of reaction experiment where you change the surface area of solid reactants, what could be the dependent variable?

Which piece of equipment is best suited for measuring the change in mass of a reactant or product during a reaction?

the single variable that is changed in an investigation.

the single variable that is measured or observed in an investigation.

Match the variables with the correct definition.

particles must collide with sufficient energy

particles must collide at a low concentration

particles must collide with minimum energy

According to collision theory, what must happen for a chemical reaction to occur?

What is the term for the minimum energy required for a reaction to occur?

Why does the same mass of powdered solid react faster than the same solid in a single lump?

smaller particles have a higher surface area:volume ratio than larger particles

increasing the size of a particle increases its surface area to volume ratio

decreasing the size of a particle decreases its surface area to volume ratio

a higher surface area:volume ratio results in faster reactions 

Which of the following statements are true about surface area: volume ratio?

Content guidance

Risk assessment required - equipment

Adult supervision required

Starter Quiz