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Explain the factors influencing the rate of a reaction.
  
Important factors that affect the rate of a reaction are:
 
Nature of the reactants: Since hydrochloric acid is a  than acetic acid and hence , the reaction of sodium with it is . So, the reaction rate is influenced by the nature of the reactants.

 

\(2Na_{(s)}+2HCl_{(aq)} →2NaCl_{(aq)}+H_{2(g)}\) ()

 

\(2Na_{(s)}+2CH_3COOH_{(aq)}→2CH_3COONa_{(aq)}+ H_{2(g)}\) ()

 

Concentration of the reactants: The reaction rate can also be increased by changing the amount of reactants. The , the more particles per volume are present, and so the reaction is faster.

Temperature: At greater temperatures, most reactions occur faster. Because adding heat to the reactants gives them more energy to , the reaction can be sped quickly.

Pressure: If the reactants are gases,  of the reactants speeds the reaction rate. This is because when the pressure is , the reacting particles become closer and more likely to collide.


Catalyst: A catalyst is a substance that accelerates the rate of a reaction . The addition of a catalyst to some processes speeds the reaction.


Surface area of the reactants: Marble chips react more quickly with hydrochloric acid than powdered calcium carbonate. Because the surface area of the reactants is by powdering them, more energy is released when the reactant particles collide. As a result, the reaction rate is increased.