An increase in temperature

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Multiple Choice

An increase in temperature

Raising temperature increases the kinetic energy of molecules, so collisions become more frequent and more energetic. A larger fraction of collisions have enough energy to overcome the activation energy barrier, leading to more successful reactions per unit time. The rate constant also rises with temperature (Arrhenius relation), so the overall rate increases. In biological systems, extremely high temperatures can denature enzymes and slow or stop reactions, but for a typical chemical reaction, the trend is that the rate increases with temperature.

Raising temperature increases the kinetic energy of molecules, so collisions become more frequent and more energetic. A larger fraction of collisions have enough energy to overcome the activation energy barrier, leading to more successful reactions per unit time. The rate constant also rises with temperature (Arrhenius relation), so the overall rate increases. In biological systems, extremely high temperatures can denature enzymes and slow or stop reactions, but for a typical chemical reaction, the trend is that the rate increases with temperature.

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