Multiple Choice
How can a living cell increase the rate of a chemical reaction?
15. Chemical Kinetics
Factors Influencing Rates
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Which of the following changes might increase the rate of a chemical reaction beyond point C?
A
Increasing the concentration of reactants
B
Decreasing the surface area of solid reactants
C
Adding an inert gas at constant volume
D
Decreasing the temperature
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the factors that generally affect the rate of a chemical reaction: concentration of reactants, surface area of solid reactants, temperature, and presence of a catalyst.
Consider how increasing the concentration of reactants affects the reaction rate. According to the collision theory, a higher concentration of reactants increases the frequency of collisions, which can increase the reaction rate.
Evaluate the effect of decreasing the surface area of solid reactants. A smaller surface area results in fewer collisions between reactant particles, which typically decreases the reaction rate.
Analyze the impact of adding an inert gas at constant volume. Since inert gases do not participate in the reaction, their addition at constant volume does not affect the concentration of reactants or the reaction rate.
Examine how decreasing the temperature influences the reaction rate. Lowering the temperature generally reduces the kinetic energy of molecules, leading to fewer effective collisions and a slower reaction rate.
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