Question

A large piece of iron was reacted with an acid. What would happen to the rate of the reaction had the large piece been finely divided into smaller pieces? (1 point)
It will decrease because the reactant particles are moved farther apart.
It will increase because the reactant particles are brought closer together.
It will decrease because larger particles provide more surface area to react.
It will increase because smaller particles provide more surface area to react.

Answer 1

Answer:

D: It will increase because smaller particles provide more surface area to react.

Explanation:

When the large iron is broken up into smaller pieces, there are more places for the iron to react (meaning there's more surface area). Think of it like taking the surface area of a big cube compared to the surface area of a bunch of small cubes. The sum of the surface areas of the small cubes will be greater than that of the large cube. As a result, more places for the iron to react will cause for a greater reaction.