This episode describes chemical kinetics, the study of how fast chemical reactions proceed. It explains the collision theory, which posits that molecules must collide with sufficient energy and the correct orientation to react. It then explores factors that affect reaction rates, including temperature, concentration, surface area, and the presence of catalysts. It also discusses rate laws and how they relate to the rate constant, reaction order, and the mechanism of the reaction. Finally, it explains how to identify intermediates and catalysts within a mechanism and emphasizes the importance of the rate-determining step in determining the overall reaction rate.