4.1.2 Chemical Reactions 2, Reaction Speed

• Scheikunde
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

Reaction speed

There are five factors which influence the speed of a reaction.

1. Temperature of the substances
2. Surface area of contact between the substances
3. Concentration of the substances (pure/diluted for instance)
4. Type of reactant
5. A catalyst (substance which improves reaction speed but does not react itself)

Concentration

Area surface

Temperature

Type of reactant

Catalyst

Using a fridge to store food

Pure oxygen for damaged lungs

Platinum mesh in exhaust system

Using Al instead of Fe against rust

Krumple paper for a wood fire kindling

Temperature

Wounds healing quicker during summer then winter

Storing food in cold containers

High pressure cookware to get to higher boiling points

Surface Area

Spray injectors into car engine

Oil fire and water

Dust explosions

Concentration

Washing off acids after accidents

Adding Dinitrogenoxide to a car engine

Suffocating when the oxygen % becomes too low

N​2​​O

Type of reactant

Magnesium burns far brighter and faster then iron

Sodium reacts far faster with water then Calcium

Iron oxides far faster then copper

Catalyst

Salt will improve the speed of oxidizing/rusting

Platinum will improve the afterburner in a car

Iron will improve the synthesis of ammonia