Slower and slower Reactions do not proceed at a steady rate. They start off at a certain speed, then get slower and slower until they stop. As the reaction progresses, the concentration of reactants decreases. This reduces the frequency of collisions between particles and so the reaction slows down.
Effect of pressure on rate of reaction Why does increasing the pressure of gaseous reactants increase the rate of reaction? As the pressure increases, the space in which the gas particles are moving becomes smaller. The gas particles become closer together, increasing the frequency of collisions. This means that the particles are more likely to react.
This means that there is an increased area for the reactant particles to collide with. The smaller the pieces, the larger the surface area. This means more collisions and a greater chance of reaction.