Learn: Factors Affecting Rate - Temperature

Welcome!You've already learned about rate of reaction and collision theory. Today, we'll explore how temperature affects the rate of reactions. Let's get started!

What is the rate of reaction?The rate of reaction tells us how quickly a chemical reaction takes place. It depends on how often particles collide and how much energy they have.

How does temperature affect reaction rate?Temperature is an important factor in determining how fast a reaction occurs. When the temperature increases, particles gain more energy and move faster. This increases the frequency of collisions and makes it more likely that they collide with enough energy to react.

Activation energy and temperatureFor a reaction to occur, particles must collide with enough activation energy (the minimum energy needed for a reaction). Higher temperatures increase the energy of particles, making it more likely they reach the activation energy.

Real-world example of temperature and reaction rateThink about cooking pasta. If you use cold water, it takes much longer to cook. However, if you boil the water, the high temperature speeds up the reaction between the pasta and water, cooking it faster!

Rate of reaction graphWhen we plot a graph of reaction rate against temperature, the rate increases as temperature rises. This is because higher temperatures give particles more energy, leading to more frequent and successful collisions.

Temperature and enzymesEnzymes are biological catalysts that speed up reactions in living organisms. They work best at an optimum temperature, usually around 37°C for humans. If the temperature gets too high, enzymes can become denatured and stop working properly.

Review Time!Great work! You've learned how temperature affects reaction rate. Now let's test your understanding with a few questions.