What are four ways of slowing down a chemical reaction?

Answer 1

I'm not sure exactly. Essentially, a chemical reaction is the result of collisions between molecules. If the collision is strong enough, it can break the chemical bonds in the reactants, resulting in a rearrangement of the atoms to form products. The more MOLECULES included, will speed up the reaction, so, the less used, means it should go slower. That's one.

Another is heat. Heat is a way of causing a collision to speed, so, again, going opposite, if you COOL the chemicals, they should react slower.

The third would be to "Block" the chemicals from eachother. This, is linked to the first one. They will have to "find a way" through the object, in order to react, this will be a slow process, meaning less Molecules are colliding, slowing the reaction.

~HellsBaran

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Answer 2

This depends on the chemical reaction taking place. Decreasing surface area of the reactants will slow a reaction. Depending on how concentrated the reactants are the reaction will also be changed. (low concentration of reactants slower rate of reaction). Altering the temperature (usually by lowering the temperature - but not always) will alter the rate of the chemical reaction. Agitation (shaking or stirring or the reactants) typically increases the rate of the chemical reaction. The input of external energy into the chemical reaction, whether it be light, heat, or electrical current will increase the rate of the reaction, that is, if the reaction is nonspontaneous to begin with. If a catalyst is present, it will lower the activation energy and thus increase the rate of the reaction. A decrease in pressure will slow down the reaction.