Rates of Reaction — GCSE Chemistry Revision
Revise Rates of Reaction for GCSE Chemistry. Step-by-step explanation, worked examples, common mistakes and exam-style practice aligned to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, Cambridge International (CIE), SQA, IB, AP.
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Next step: Collision Theory
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Go to Collision TheoryWhat is Rates of Reaction?
Rates of Reaction becomes much more predictable when you connect the practical setup to collision theory. Examiners are usually testing one of three things: what changes the rate, how to read a rate graph, or how to explain the result using frequency of successful collisions. The strongest answers move between the experiment and the particle explanation without drifting into vague phrases like 'it reacts more'.
Board notes: AQA, Edexcel and OCR all cover the same Chemistry foundations here, but the style of practical setup, calculation wording, and emphasis on extended explanation can vary by paper.
Step-by-step explanationWorked example
For a magnesium and hydrochloric acid experiment, higher acid concentration means more acid particles in the same volume. That causes more frequent collisions each second, so successful collisions happen more often and the reaction finishes sooner. If a graph plateaus earlier, explain that the reactant was used up rather than just saying the line stopped rising.
Practise this topic
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Targeted practice plan
- 1Write the key particles, formula, or equation for Rates of Reaction, then apply it to one unfamiliar example.
- 2Do one method or calculation question and annotate every unit, state symbol, or balancing step before marking it.
- 3Check the answer for chemistry-specific precision: have you explained why the particles behave that way, not just named the trend?
Common mistakes
- 1Describing the graph without saying what it shows about reaction speed.
- 2Saying particles 'collide harder' without explaining successful collisions or activation energy.
- 3Naming a factor such as temperature without explaining why it changes the rate.
Rates of Reaction exam questions
Exam-style questions for Rates of Reaction with mark-scheme style solutions and timing practice. Aligned to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, Cambridge International (CIE), SQA, IB, AP specifications.
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Step-by-step method
Step-by-step explanation
4 steps · Worked method for Rates of Reaction
Core concept
Rates of Reaction becomes much more predictable when you connect the practical setup to collision theory. Examiners are usually testing one of three things: what changes the rate, how to read a rate g…
Frequently asked questions
Which factors change the rate of reaction at GCSE?
Temperature, concentration, pressure for gases, surface area, and catalysts are the main factors you need to compare and explain.
What is the role of a catalyst in rate questions?
A catalyst increases the rate by lowering the activation energy, so a greater proportion of collisions are successful.