Question

Explain collision theory in your own words and then apply this collision to explain the effect of surface area on reaction rates. Draw a graph illustrating how surface area of reactants affects reaction rate. Please be sure to label all parts of the graph.

Answer 1

Collision theory. Molecules must collide with each other for the reaction to occur. The orientation also plays an important role since molecules must collide in a specific orientation. Also, molecules must have enough energy to react.

Surface area. When the area of a solid is increased, the rate of the reaction increases. This is because more particles are exposed to react.