Surface area and rate: analysis
I can represent graphically and describe how the rate of reaction depends on the surface area of a solid reactant.
Surface area and rate: analysis
I can represent graphically and describe how the rate of reaction depends on the surface area of a solid reactant.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The changing rate of a chemical reaction can be represented by a graph of mass of gas produced against time.
- When reacting excess marble chips with acid, the same mass of gas is produced for all surface areas of chips.
- The mean rate of reaction = total mass of gas produced ÷ total time of reaction
- The instantaneous rate of reaction is equal to the gradient of the graph.
- The gradient of a rate of reaction graph can be calculated from a tangent drawn at a point on the curve.
Keywords
Gradient - The gradient on a graph represents the rate at which one quantity changes relative to another.
Mean rate of reaction - The mean rate of reaction is the average rate at which reactants are converted into products in a given time.
Instantaneous rate of reaction - The instantaneous rate of reaction is the rate at which reactants are converted into products at a specific moment in time.
Tangent - A tangent is a straight line that touches a curve at exactly one point without crossing it.
Common misconception
Pupils often confuse the mean rate of reaction with the instantaneous rate of reaction, thinking they are the same or not understanding the distinction between the two.
The tasks give pupils s the opportunity to distinguish between mean and instantaneous rate of reaction by calculating both from the same set of data.
To help you plan your year 10 chemistry lesson on: Surface area and rate: analysis, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 chemistry lesson on: Surface area and rate: analysis, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 chemistry lessons from the Rate of reaction unit, dive into the full secondary chemistry curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Graph paper for drawing graphs. Ruler or straight edge to draw tangents. Calculator to calculate rate of reaction.
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
