Why does surface area of a reactant influence the rate of the reaction?

because it can influence how frequently and sufficiently the particles collide depending on the space it has to do so, for example a large surface area would be have a slower rate of reaction and a lower temperature. (the rate of reaction in terms of concentration, it is diffused from high to low) 

Aphysical change is one that you can put in and remove like a ham sandwich. the stuff you put in there can be changem its not permanet. a chemical change is on that can't be change thats permanet. like when you make a cake and bake it. you can't get those ingredients back.