This document discusses 5 key factors that affect the rate of chemical reactions: 1. The surface area of solid reactants - increasing the surface area by powdering increases the rate. 2. The concentration of reactants - higher concentrations increase the number of collisions and thus the rate. 3. The temperature - higher temperatures provide more energy to overcome the activation energy barrier. 4. The presence of catalysts - catalysts lower the activation energy and increase the rate. 5. Exposure to light - light provides photons that can supply the energy needed to initiate photochemical reactions.