Chemistry
Chemical Kinetics
Quick fact
Some reactions, like the rusting of iron, take years, while a hydrogen-oxygen explosion can happen in less than a millionth of a second.
Why this is interesting
Why does milk spoil in days at room temperature but last weeks in the fridge? And how can a tiny pinch of yeast make bread dough rise in an hour, while flour and water alone take days to ferment? The answer lies in the hidden clockwork of chemical reactions—their speed.