On the basis of principles defined previously, some of the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters that control the alkali-silica reaction have been determined experimentally. The kinetics of dissolution of various kinds of silica in solutions of sodium hydroxide has been studied on an agitated system derived from that of ASTM standard test method C 289-71. Investigation of the behaviour in the presence of water of a gel of calcium potassium silicate hydrate prepared under conditions that approximate reality shows that the potassium, associated with a silicate anion, is in an adsorbed form.