This song explains effective collisions and how to affect reaction rate through changing the number of effective collisions or changing the mechanism. All music and lyrics copyright 2009 by Mark Rosengarten. All rights reserved. Lyrics: RATE! RATE! Engineers have a great big need To control chemical reactions speed Fast or slow, which is to be their fate How can we change the reaction rate? Reacting molecules do collide Angle and energy will decide If the reaction will proceed at last And if that reaction will be slow or fast Its rateRATE! Of reaction Reactants form products at a certain speed Its rateRATE! Of reaction How do we get it to serve our needs? Add or remove some steps Make more collisions or less Slow down or speed it on up! Some reactions happen way too fast They can end in an explosive blast To slow it down you can add some steps Use an inhibitor, then rate is less Lower concentration or the temperature Fewer collisions over time occur Lower pressure if you have a gas Less surface area for a solid mass Its rateRATE! Of reaction Reactants form products at certain speeds Its rateRATE! Of reaction How do we get it to serve our needs? Add or remove some steps Make more collisions or less Slow down or speed it on up! If a reaction is too slow for you Here are a couple of things to do Add a catalyst, some steps remove Get that reaction running really smooth Make more collisions happen over time Concentration and temperature increase is fine! Raise the pressure on your gaseous friends Or crush a solid, you will meet your ends! Its rateRATE! Of reaction Reactants form products at a certain speed Its rateRATE! Of reaction How do we get it to serve our needs? Its rateRATE! Of reaction Change the mechanism, change your steps Its rateRATE! Of reaction How many collisions happen, more or less Change your reactions speed Make it fit your need Slow down or speed it on up! RATE!