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Explain why the rate of reaction falls after 40oC:

User NickJ
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Final answer:

The rate of reaction typically increases with temperature but may decrease at high temperatures due to the denaturation of reactants or breakdown of catalysts. At 45°C, a reaction proceeds four times faster than at 25°C, and at 95°C, it is 64 times faster. A catalyst can enhance the rate of formation at lower temperatures by aiding in reaching equilibrium faster.

Step-by-step explanation:

Chemical reactions typically proceed faster at higher temperatures because increased temperature provides reactant particles with more kinetic energy. This energy increase enhances the frequency and energy of collisions, leading to a higher rate of reaction. However, if the temperature rises above a certain point, the rate of reaction may decrease due to denaturation of reactants or the breakdown of catalysts that are sensitive to high temperatures. At temperatures higher than 40°C, there might be a decline in the reaction rate if the reactants or catalysts involved start to degrade or become less effective. Similarly, when discussing the rate of reaction at different temperatures:

  • The reaction is faster at 45°C than at 25°C by a factor of four, as the rate doubles every 10°C.
  • At 95°C, compared to 25°C, the reaction is 64 times faster following the same principle.

When the temperature was increased by 20°C in the decomposition of NaClO3, the rate of reaction doubled twice, indicating that the reaction would have taken roughly one quarter of the original time, or about 12 minutes, to reach 90% decomposition.

Moreover, a catalyst can help recover part of the lost rate of formation at lower temperatures by allowing the reaction to reach equilibrium more rapidly.

User Jean Leon
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