Question

Consider the reaction between a solution of molecule A and a solid block of molecule B. In general, for a reaction to occur, the reactant molecules must be in contact with each other. Therefore, increasing the frequency of collisions between A and B molecules allows the reaction to occur more quickly. Identify the change in reaction condition that will increase the frequency of the molecular collisions.

Answer 1

Increasing the concentration of reactants and the surface area, as well as raising the temperature, can increase the frequency of molecular collisions and accelerate a reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

Increasing the concentration of one or more of the reacting substances generally increases the reaction rate.

When more particles are present in a given amount of space, a greater number of collisions will naturally occur between those particles.

Since the rate of a reaction is dependent on the frequency of collisions between the reactants, the rate increases as the concentration increases.

An increase in the surface area of a reactant also increases the frequency of collisions and thus increases the reaction rate.

Breaking up a solid reactant into smaller pieces exposes more surface area, allowing for more collisions to occur.

Additionally, increasing the temperature of the reaction increases the energy of the particles, leading to more successful collisions and a faster reaction rate.