Exam Focus: Rates of Reaction
Part of Rates & Collision Theory — GCSE Chemistry
This exam focus covers Exam Focus: Rates of Reaction within Rates & Collision Theory for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Rates & Collision Theory in Rates of Reaction for GCSE Chemistry with 20 exam-style questions and 16 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 11 of 13 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
Topic position
Section 11 of 13
Practice
20 questions
Recall
16 flashcards
🎯 Exam Focus: Rates of Reaction
This topic appears in virtually every GCSE Chemistry paper. Examiners love asking students to explain rate changes using collision theory — not just describe them.
very-high Explain questions (3-4 marks): You must state: (1) the factor changed, (2) how it affects collision frequency or energy, (3) how this changes the number of successful collisions, (4) the result on rate.
high Graph interpretation (2-3 marks): Steeper curve = faster rate. Same final height = same amount of product. Curve stopping = reaction complete.
high Calculation questions (2 marks): Rate = amount ÷ time. Use the gradient of the tangent to a curve for instantaneous rate.
Key command words: "Explain" = collision theory mechanism required. "Describe" = state what happens on the graph. "Calculate" = show working with units.