According to collision theory, which statement correctly describes the effect of temperature on the rate of a reaction?

According to collision theory, which statement correctly describes the effect of temperature on the rate of a reaction?

• A. Higher temperature only affects the equilibrium constant.
• B. Temperature has no effect on rate.
• C. Higher temperature increases kinetic energy, increasing successful collisions and rate.
• D. Higher temperature decreases the number of collisions.

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that temperature changes how often and how energetically particles collide. In collision theory, a reaction only happens when particles collide with enough energy to overcome the activation barrier. Raising temperature increases the average kinetic energy of molecules, so more collisions have energy equal to or greater than this barrier. It also makes particles move faster, so collisions occur more frequently. Together, these effects mean more successful collisions per second and a faster rate. That’s why the statement is correct: higher temperature increases kinetic energy, leading to more effective collisions and a faster reaction rate. The other ideas don’t fit because temperature does affect rate (it isn’t just about equilibrium), and higher temperature does not decrease the number of collisions.

The key idea is that temperature changes how often and how energetically particles collide. In collision theory, a reaction only happens when particles collide with enough energy to overcome the activation barrier. Raising temperature increases the average kinetic energy of molecules, so more collisions have energy equal to or greater than this barrier. It also makes particles move faster, so collisions occur more frequently. Together, these effects mean more successful collisions per second and a faster rate.

That’s why the statement is correct: higher temperature increases kinetic energy, leading to more effective collisions and a faster reaction rate. The other ideas don’t fit because temperature does affect rate (it isn’t just about equilibrium), and higher temperature does not decrease the number of collisions.