Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

What is the primary effect of temperature on the rate of a chemical reaction?

1. It has no impact

2. Increases average kinetic energy of reactants

3. Decreases concentration of reactants

4. Changes the state of reactants

The correct answer is: Increases average kinetic energy of reactants

The primary effect of temperature on the rate of a chemical reaction is that it increases the average kinetic energy of the reactants. This increase in kinetic energy means that the molecules move faster and collide more frequently and with greater energy. These more effective collisions lead to a higher likelihood of reactions occurring. As temperature rises, the speed of molecular movement increases, resulting in more collisions per unit of time. Furthermore, the increased energy from the higher temperature can help overcome the activation energy barrier required for a reaction to take place, thereby accelerating the reaction rate. Understanding how temperature influences kinetic energy and molecular interactions is essential in both laboratory settings and various industrial processes, where controlling reaction rates is important for efficiency and yield.