Final answer:
The exponential increase in reaction rates with temperature is due to the increased frequency and energy of molecular collisions, which allows reactants to overcome activation energy barriers more easily.
Step-by-step explanation:
All chemical reactions tend to increase exponentially with temperature due to the increased frequency of molecular collisions and the higher energy of those collisions. As temperature rises, molecules move more rapidly, which leads to more frequent collisions. Moreover, these collisions are more forceful and thus more likely to provide the activation energy needed for reactions to occur, leading to a rise in both the frequency and effectiveness of reactions.
The correct answer to the question is: c) Increased frequency of molecular collisions. Raising the temperature of reactants increases their kinetic energy, thereby increasing the number of collisions and the proportion of collisions that possess enough energy to overcome the activation energy barrier, resulting in a higher rate of reaction.