Chapter 8: Rates of Reaction – Detailed
Notes
These notes cover everything you need to know about rates of reaction, including
explanations, examples, experiments, diagrams, and key terms.
1. Introduction to Rates of Reaction
● A chemical reaction is a process where reactants are converted into products.
● The rate of reaction is how fast or slow a reaction occurs.
● It is measured by how quickly reactants are used up or how quickly products are
formed.
Examples of Reactions with Different Rates
🎆
● Fast reactions:
⛽🔥
○ Explosion of fireworks
○ Combustion of fuel
🏗️
● Slow reactions:
🍏➡️🍎
○ Rusting of iron (can take weeks or months)
○ Ripening of fruit
2. Measuring the Rate of Reaction
Definition of Rate of Reaction
Rate of reaction =
Change in amount of reactant or productTime taken\frac{\text{Change in amount of
reactant or product}}{\text{Time taken}}Time takenChange in amount of reactant or
product
Ways to Measure Reaction Rate
1. Change in Mass
○ If a gas is produced, its mass decreases over time.
○ Example: Reaction of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) with hydrochloric acid
(HCl).
○ Apparatus: Balance (scale), conical flask, acid, marble chips.
○ Graph: Mass decreases over time.
2. Volume of Gas Produced
○ If a gas is formed, it can be collected in a gas syringe.
○ Example: Magnesium (Mg) reacting with hydrochloric acid (HCl) to produce
hydrogen gas (H₂).
○ Apparatus: Gas syringe, conical flask, stopwatch.
○ Graph: Gas volume increases over time.
3. Disappearing Cross Method (Color Change)
○ Some reactions produce a precipitate (solid) that makes the solution cloudy.
○ Example: Sodium thiosulfate + hydrochloric acid forms sulfur, turning the
solution cloudy.
○ Apparatus: Beaker, solution, paper with a black cross "X" underneath.
○ Graph: Time taken for the cross to disappear.
3. Factors Affecting the Rate of Reaction
The rate of reaction can be changed by five key factors:
1. Temperature 🌡️
● Increasing temperature = faster reaction.
● Why?
○ Particles move faster and collide more frequently.
○ More particles have enough energy to overcome the activation energy.
2. Concentration of Reactants
● Higher concentration = faster reaction.
● Why?
○ More reactant particles in the same space.
○ More frequent collisions.
3. Surface Area of Reactants
● Smaller pieces (more surface area) = faster reaction.
● Why?
○ More particles exposed to react.
○ More frequent collisions.
Example Reaction
Large marble Slow
chips reaction
Powdered marble Fast reaction
4. Pressure (for Gases)
● Higher pressure = faster reaction.
● Why?
○ Particles are closer together.
○ More frequent collisions.
5. Presence of a Catalyst ⚡
● A catalyst speeds up a reaction without being used up.
● How?
○ It lowers activation energy (energy needed for reaction to start).
○ Provides an alternative reaction pathway.
Catalyst Reaction
Iron (Fe) Used in Haber process to make
ammonia
Platinum (Pt) Used in car exhausts to reduce pollution
4. Collision Theory – Why Reactions Happen
For a reaction to occur, particles must collide with enough energy.
Key Points of Collision Theory
1. Particles must collide.
2. They must have enough energy (activation energy, EaE_aEa).
3. More frequent & energetic collisions = faster reaction.
Activation Energy
● Activation energy (Ea) = Minimum energy needed for a reaction to start.
● If particles don’t have enough energy, no reaction happens.
Energy Profile Diagram
📉 The graph shows:
● Reactants (starting materials).
● Activation energy (hump).
● Products (final substances).
● Catalysts lower the activation energy.
5. Experiments on Reaction Rates
Experiment 1: Effect of Surface Area on Rate
Reaction: Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) + hydrochloric acid (HCl)
Products: Carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas + water + calcium chloride
● Setup: Conical flask, acid, marble chips, balance.
● Observation: Powdered calcium carbonate reacts faster than large lumps.
● Conclusion: Smaller particles = larger surface area = faster reaction.
Experiment 2: Effect of Temperature on Rate
Reaction: Sodium thiosulfate + hydrochloric acid → Sulfur (cloudy solution).
● Setup: Beaker, hot water bath, thermometer.
● Observation: At higher temperatures, the cross disappears faster.
● Conclusion: Higher temperature = faster reaction.
Experiment 3: Effect of Concentration on Rate
Reaction: Magnesium + hydrochloric acid → Hydrogen gas.
● Setup: Conical flask, gas syringe, stopwatch.
● Observation: Higher acid concentration = more gas in less time.
● Conclusion: Higher concentration = faster reaction.
6. Catalysts and Enzymes
What is a Catalyst?
● A substance that increases reaction rate without being used up.
● Example: Iron (Fe) in Haber process for ammonia.
Biological Catalysts: Enzymes
● Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up reactions in living things.
● Example: Amylase breaks down starch in digestion.
7. Summary Table
Factor Effect on Reaction Reason
Rate
Temperature 🔥 Increases Faster particle movement, more
collisions
Concentration 📊 Increases More reactant particles in solution
Surface Area 🏝️ Increases More reactant exposed
Pressure ⏳ Increases Particles closer together (gases)
Catalyst ⚡ Increases Lowers activation energy
8. Real-Life Applications of Reaction Rates
Application Explanation
Cooking 🍳 Higher temperature = faster cooking
Rusting 🏗️ Moist air = faster rusting
Explosives 💥 Fast reactions release energy quickly
Medicine 💊 Enzymes help break down drugs
faster
Car Exhausts 🚗 Catalytic converters reduce pollution
9. Checkpoint Questions
1. What is the rate of reaction formula?
2. How does increasing temperature affect reaction rate?
3. Why do smaller particles react faster than large ones?
4. What is a catalyst? How does it work?
5. How do enzymes speed up biological reactions?
6. What is activation energy, and how does a catalyst affect it?
7. Explain why gases react faster under high pressure.
