Rates of Reaction — Interactive Lesson (Ages 14–16)

Why does food go off faster in the heat, and why do small pieces of charcoal light so quickly? This 21-slide interactive lesson on rates of reaction takes pupils from first ideas to exam-style explanations, with 13 self-marking activities and nothing to prepare beforehand.

Teaching Rates of Reaction in GCSE Chemistry

Pupils calculate mean rates from gas volumes and mass loss, use collision theory and activation energy to explain how temperature, concentration, pressure and surface area change the rate, and explain how catalysts provide a pathway with a lower activation energy. They interpret rate graphs and compare methods of measuring rate, including the gas syringe, mass loss and the disappearing cross.

What Pupils Will Learn

• ⏱ Define the rate of a reaction and calculate a mean rate.
• Use collision theory and activation energy to explain rates.
• Explain how temperature, concentration, pressure and surface area affect rate.
• Explain how catalysts speed up reactions.
• Interpret graphs and describe ways to measure rate.

What’s Included

• 21-slide interactive lesson
• 13 self-marking activities: multiple-choice questions, true-or-false checks, sorting tasks and fill-in-the-gap questions
• Step-by-step teaching cards that reveal one point at a time
• A written explanation task with a model answer for self-assessment

Why Teachers Love It

• No prep — open it on an interactive whiteboard, laptop or tablet
• Instant feedback explains every answer, right or wrong
• Everyday examples make chemistry feel real
• Works for whole-class teaching, independent study or revision

Curriculum Alignment

Supports UK GCSE Chemistry and Combined Science (AQA, Edexcel and OCR) and the Nigerian Senior Secondary Chemistry curriculum (SS2), including WAEC and NECO exam preparation.

Love this? You’ll love…

• Ionic, Covalent and Metallic Bonding — Interactive Lesson (Ages 14–16)
• Electrolysis — Interactive Lesson (Ages 14–16)

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FAQ

What year groups is this for? Years 10–11 (ages 14–16), and SS2 in Nigeria.

Is it self-marking? Yes — all 13 activities give instant feedback.

Do pupils need to log in? No. The lesson runs in any modern web browser.

Can I use it for revision? Yes. Pupils can replay it as often as they like, and the results screen shows which questions to review before a test.