Question

The rates of most chemical reactions are sensitive to a change in the temperature of the reaction system. The increase in rate as the temperature increases is best explained by : A. an increase in the collision frequency. B. an increase in the number of high-energy molecules. C. a decrease in the collision frequency. D. an increase in the activation energy. E. a decrease in the activation energy.

Answer 1

An increase in temperature leads to a higher collision frequency and a rise in the number of high-energy molecules that can surmount the activation energy barrier, thereby increasing the rate of the reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The increase in rate of most chemical reactions with a rise in temperature is best explained by a combination of factors related to the collision theory.

Primarily, an increase in temperature results in a higher collision frequency, where reactant particles move faster leading to more frequent collisions.

Additionally, there is an increase in the number of high-energy molecules which implies that more molecules have sufficient energy to overcome the activation energy barrier, leading to more effective collisions that can result in product formation.

Therefore, the correct explanation for the increase in reaction rate with temperature is both: A. an increase in the collision frequency and B. an increase in the number of high-energy molecules.