Question

question 5 of 10
what makes an increase in temperature change the reaction rate?
a. it increases the equilibrium constant of the reaction.
b. it decreases the activation energy of the reaction.
c. it increases the collisions that result in a reaction.
d. it prevents the backward reaction from happening.

Explanation:

• Option A: The equilibrium constant is affected by temperature for endothermic or exothermic reactions, but this is related to equilibrium position, not directly to reaction rate.
• Option B: Activation energy is a property of the reaction (determined by the nature of reactants and catalysts, if present), not changed by temperature.
• Option C: According to the collision theory, an increase in temperature increases the kinetic energy of molecules. This leads to more molecules having energy greater than or equal to the activation energy. As a result, the number of effective collisions (collisions that result in a reaction) increases, which speeds up the reaction rate.
• Option D: Temperature affects both forward and backward reaction rates (to different extents depending on whether the reaction is endothermic or exothermic in the forward direction), it does not prevent the backward reaction.

Answer:

C. It increases the collisions that result in a reaction.