The rate of reaction is faster when the substance is in solution form. Explain?

Question

And also give examples on how this fact is made use of in making medicines as well as in laboratories. Thx a lot in advance

Answer 1

For many chemical reactions, the rate depends on how quickly you can get the different reactants together (in close proximity) so that they can react.

For instance, if your medicine was contained in a hard pill (not very soluble) then most of those 'reactants' would be locked up inside the pill and would not be able to get out to where they are supposed to until those molecules on the surface of the pill leave..

In solution, each of the molecules of medicine could spread out quickly and get to the chemicals in the body that they should react with.

So in medicines, a liquid solution of medicine would likely be more quickly acting than a solid pill.

In laboratory a chemical reaction would likely take place more quickly if at least one of the reactants were in solution, and didn't have to dissolve from a solid form.