Speeding Up and Slowing Down Reactions

Chemical kinetics studies how fast reactions happen and what affects their rates. Some reactions are lightning-fast, while others take centuries.

Factors That Change Reaction Rates

• Concentration: More reactants usually mean faster reactions.
• Temperature: Higher temperatures mean particles move faster, increasing collisions.
• Catalysts: Substances that speed up reactions without being used up (like enzymes in your body).
• Surface Area: More exposed surfaces allow more collisions.

Why Kinetics Matters

Understanding reaction rates helps control industrial processes, preserve food, and even understand how medicines work in your body.

Graphs and Equations

Reaction rates can be described with rate equations, like:

\[ \text{Rate} = k[A]^m[B]^n \]

where \( k \) is the rate constant, and the exponents \( m \) and \( n \) show how the concentration of each reactant affects the rate.

Real-Life Relevance

• Faster rusting in humid conditions
• Catalytic converters in cars speeding up pollution breakdown