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Multiple Choice
Which of the following factors has the greatest effect on the rate of chemical cycling within an ecosystem?
A
Volume
B
Surface area
C
Pressure
D
Temperature
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that chemical cycling refers to the movement and exchange of chemical elements within an ecosystem, which is influenced by various factors.
Recognize that temperature is a key factor affecting the rate of chemical reactions, as it influences the kinetic energy of molecules.
Recall the Arrhenius equation, which shows the relationship between temperature and reaction rate: , where is the rate constant, is the pre-exponential factor, is the activation energy, is the gas constant, and is the temperature in Kelvin.
Consider how an increase in temperature generally increases the rate of chemical reactions by providing more energy to overcome activation barriers, thus speeding up chemical cycling.
Conclude that among the given options, temperature has the greatest effect on the rate of chemical cycling within an ecosystem due to its direct impact on reaction kinetics.