What is the effect of surface area on the rate of chemical reaction.

Explanation

In case of heterogeneous systems, the rate of chemical reaction also depends on the surface area of the reactants. In such cases, more the surface area, more is the rate of reaction. Surface area in such cases is increased by reducing the particle size of the reactant in solid or liquid phase. For example the rate of rusting iron in more of suface area of iron is more. Similarly the rate of conbustion of coal is more, if it is powdered form.
`2Fe(s)+O_2(g)+H_2O rarr underset("Rust")(Fe_2O_3.H_2O)(s)`
`C(s)+O_2(g)rarr CO_2(g)`