Topic Notes: Rate of Reaction

Chemical reactions don’t all happen at the same pace — some explode into action in a fraction of a second, while others take years to show any visible change. The rate of reaction tells us how fast reactants are transformed into products, and it reveals the hidden factors that speed chemistry up or slow it down. Whether it’s iron rusting, food spoiling, fuel burning, or medicines dissolving in the body, reaction rates shape the world around us. By understanding what affects these rates from temperature and concentration to surface area and catalysts, we gain the power to control chemical change, making processes safer, faster, and more efficient.