This document discusses rates of reaction and factors that affect them. It defines reaction rates as the speed at which reactants are converted to products, noting that some reactions are fast while others are slow. It then provides examples of calculating reaction rates by measuring changes in mass or volume over time. Finally, it outlines three main factors that influence reaction rates: concentration, particle size, and temperature, explaining that higher concentrations, larger surface areas, and increased temperatures all generally cause reaction rates to increase.