Factors The reaction rate
decreases with a decrease factor is raised/increased.
in temperature
1. Temperature The reaction rate
decreases with a decrease
in temperature.
2. Water If a reaction has a low
rate, that means the
molecules combine at a
slower speed than a
reaction with a high rate.
3. Hydrogen ion the higher hydrogen ions
Concentration(pH) present, the lower the pH
4. Concentration of Increasing substrate
Substrate concentration also
increases the rate of
reaction to a certain point.
Concentration of Enzyme the enzyme concentration
decreases, the reaction
rate will decrease.
6. Inhabitors Decreased substrate
molecules can bind to the
Effect on reaction rate if
factors affect enzyme function and
The reaction rate
increases with a increase
in temperature.
The reaction will happen
faster which means the
rate of that reaction will
increase.
the lower hydrogen ions
present, the higher the pH
Decreasing substrate
concentration also
decreases the rate of
reaction to a certain point.
the enzyme concentration
increases, the reaction
rate will increase.
Increased substrate
molecules can bind to the
Brief explanation as to why these
reaction rates in that way
An increase in temperature
typically increases the rate of
reaction. An increase in
temperature will raise the average
kinetic energy of the reactant
molecules.
A chemical reaction transforms a
set of molecules (the reactants)
into another set of molecules (the
products), and a catalyst is a
substance that accelerates that
chemical reaction, while not itself
being consumed in the process.
The value of pH is inversely related
with the concentration of hydrogen
ions. Hence, when we increase the
concentration of H+ (aq) ions in a
solution the pH of the solution
decreases.
Substrate concentration: Increasing
substrate concentration also
increases the rate of reaction to a
certain point. Once all of the
enzymes have bound, any substrate
increase will have no effect on the
rate of reaction, as the available
enzymes will be saturated and
working at their maximum rate.
The enzyme-bound molecule is
called a substrate. Typically, an
enzyme is combined with a
substrate to reduce the activation
energy of a chemical reaction. ...
This means that as the enzyme
concentration decreases, the
reaction rate will decrease.
Enzyme Inhibitors reduce the rate
of an enzyme catalysed reaction by
 enzymes so the reaction enzymes so the reaction interfering with the enzyme in
rate is decreased. rate is decreased. some way.

7. Effects of activators The lower the activation The higher the activation This energy varies for each
energy for a reaction, the energy for a reaction, the reaction, and is known as the
faster the rate. Slower the rate. activation energy (Ea) (Figure 17.4
“Potential Energy and Activation
Energy“). The rate of reaction
therefore depends on the
activation energy; a higher
activation energy means that fewer
molecules will have sufficient
energy to undergo an effective
collision.

8. Effect of light and The lower the intensity of The greater the intensity Light energy (uv or visible radiation)
Radiation light (visible or ultra- of light (visible or ultra- can initiate or catalyse particular
violet) the Decreased of violet) the more reactant chemical reactions. ... The greater
molecules. molecules are likely to the intensity of light (visible or
gain the required energy ultra-violet) the more reactant
molecules are likely to gain the
required energy (activation energy)
and react, so the reaction speed
increases - greater frequency of
initiation.