Question

Study the reaction. X(s) + 2B(aq)→ X+(aq) + B2(g) Under which circumstances will the reaction rate be highest? A) the solid X is ground to a fine powder B) the solid X is in the form of a few smooth spheres C) the solid X is densely packed at the bottom of the container D) the solid X is in the form of a single, large cube.

Answer 1

Option (A) the solid X is ground to a fine powder.

Step-by-step explanation:

X(s) + 2B(aq) → X+(aq) + B2(g)

In the reaction above, the rate of the reaction will be highest, when X being a solid is ground to fine powder.

Grounding X to fine powder simply means increasing the surface area of X.

An increase in surface area of reactants will definitely increase the rate of reaction because the particles of the solid will collide with the right orientation and hence speed up the reaction rate.