Rates of ReactionTopic Summary
Knowledge Organiser: Factors Affecting Rate of Reaction
Part of Factors Affecting Rate · GCSE GCSE Chemistry revision
This topic summary covers Knowledge Organiser: Factors Affecting Rate of Reaction within Factors Affecting Rate for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Factors Affecting Rate in Rates of Reaction for GCSE Chemistry with 20 exam-style questions and 18 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 13 of 13 in this topic. Use this topic summary to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 13 of 13
Practice
20 questions
Recall
18 flashcards
Knowledge Organiser: Factors Affecting Rate of Reaction
Five Rate Factors (CCTSP)
- Concentration ↑ → more collisions
- Catalyst → lower Ea, more succeed
- Temperature ↑ → faster + more exceed Ea
- Surface area ↑ → more exposed particles
- Pressure ↑ → same as concentration (gases)
Catalyst Key Facts
- Not consumed — can be reused
- Lowers activation energy
- Provides alternative pathway
- Enzymes = biological catalysts
- Does NOT change amount of product
Graph Interpretation
- Steeper gradient = faster rate
- Same final height = same moles reactant
- Higher plateau = more reactant used
- Horizontal = reaction complete
Exam Checklist
- Temperature: 2 effects needed
- Catalyst: "lowers Ea" not "gives energy"
- End with "more successful collisions"
- Graph: compare steepness AND final value
Key Equations
- Rate = amount ÷ time (g/s or cm³/s)
- Rate increases when: concentration ↑, temperature ↑, surface area ↑, catalyst added, pressure ↑ (gases)
- Catalyst: lowers activation energy — same overall ΔH and same yield