If the surface area of reactants decreases:

A. The reaction rate is generally lower.
B. The reaction rate is generally higher.
C. The reaction rate is not affected.
D. The effect on the reaction rate cannot be predicted.

Please help?

Question

If the surface area of reactants decreases:

A. The reaction rate is generally lower.
B. The reaction rate is generally higher.
C.  The reaction rate is not affected.
D. The effect on the reaction rate cannot be predicted.

Please help?

anonymous · Answer

Reaction rate is going to be generally higher, as more molecules of each reactant will collide with each other.

anonymous · Answer

Makes sense haha thank you!

anonymous · Answer

NP

aaronq · Answer

@TheForgottenArchitect , i see what you're getting at and your thoughts are right, except that the surface area is not he same as the volume - a molecule occupies 3 dimensions - and so, you're not addressing what the question is asking.

Decreasing the surface area of a reactant will decrease the rate of a reaction - think about making a fire, if you try to light a thick log (with low surface area) it won't happen, but if you chop it up into small pieces (thereby exposing more of the surface) the fire (i.e. oxidation) will start much easier. If you get really fine wood dust you can actually cause an explosion.