why a substance in powder form will react faster than a substance in its solid state?

Answer 1

The surface area of the powder is bigger than the solid.

Answer 2

In solid form, most of the matter is inside, and not available for the reaction until the surface has completed the reaction. In powder form, most of the substance is available to react immediately, since most of the sustance is spread out and is in contact with the reactant.

Answer 3

You have a larger surface area on the powder which basically means that more of it can come into contact with the things it's reacting with at one given time than the atoms in a solid which are locked in place.

Answer 4

Probably because the powder form has a much greater surface area and therefore a much greater area of contact between the two substances.

Answer 5

I imagine because there are more particles of the substance available to react with the other substance. Reactions are the breaking down and reforming into other substances. Solids take longer to break down.

Answer 6

It is a question of surface area. When you are trying to get something to react the only part in contact with whatever reagent you are using will react. Now if you make that a powder it has more surface area in contact and thus will react faster

Answer 7

Its a function of surface area. The reaction takes place only on the surface so the greater the surface area the faster the reaction. Kind of like a multi lane highway handling more traffic than a 2 lane road.

Answer 8

Easy, In powered form what ever it is is more easily broken down and used where as a solid may need to be broken down to work. Any chemical that has some sort or reaction is reacting at the molecular level....a chemical already in power will react faster tan a solid....

Answer 9

this is because their is a larger surface area

for eg
if the was a big block of somthing the solution could only react with the outer dimensions

but if the substance was crushed their would be more pieces for it to react with

Answer 10

because the items can only react at the surfaces. And a powder has a MUCH bigger surface area than the actual solid.

My high school science teacher drilled this in our head: MORE SURFACE AREA

Answer 11

when a substance is broken down into a powder it gains surface area so there is more space for the reaction to take place.