Write a hypothesis about the effect of temperature and surface area on the rate of chemical reactions using this format: “If . . . then . . . because. . . .” Be sure to answer the lesson question, “How do the factors of temperature and surface area affect the rate of chemical reactions?”
If the temperature of a chemical reaction increases and the surface area of the reactants is larger, then the rate of the reaction will also increase, because higher temperature speeds up the movement of particles, leading to more frequent collisions between reactant molecules. Additionally, a larger surface area provides more opportunities for the molecules to collide, resulting in a higher chance of successful reactions taking place. Together, these factors enhance the likelihood and speed of reactions occurring, ultimately increasing the overall rate of the chemical reaction.
