Effect of temperature on reaction rate

Meaning of the term rate of reaction.

The qualitative effect of temperature changes on the rate of reaction.

Students should be able to:

• use the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution to explain why a small temperature increase can lead to a large increase in rate.

AT a, b, k and l

PS 2.4 and 3.1

Students could investigate the effect of temperature on the rate of reaction of sodium thiosulfate and hydrochloric acid by an initial rate method.

Research opportunity

Students could investigate how knowledge and understanding of the factors that affect the rate of chemical reaction have changed methods of storage and cooking of food.

Required practical 3

Investigation of how the rate of a reaction changes with temperature.