OpenOlympiad
Concept 7 of 8Foundation
Video

Fast vs slow changes

Fast changes: happen in seconds or less.

  • Lightning
  • Explosion
  • Burning paper
  • Breaking glass

Slow changes: take hours to years.

  • Rusting
  • Fruit ripening
  • Tree growing
  • Rock weathering

Speed depends on temperature, surface area, moisture, and the substances involved.

Example
A slice of apple browns in minutes (oxidation). A whole apple in a fridge lasts weeks. Same chemistry, different speed.
💡 Tip:Heat generally speeds up chemical changes. Cold slows them (fridges preserve food).
Prefer a video? Open YouTube search for “fast slow changes class 6