Chemical Kinetics Practice Test

In the Arrhenius equation, what is the general effect of increasing temperature on the rate constant k?

k increases k decreases k remains constant k becomes negative

Correct Answer:

k increases

Explanation:

Temperature changes affect the rate constant through the Arrhenius form k = A e^(-Ea/RT). Here Ea is the activation energy and A is the frequency factor. As temperature increases, the ratio Ea/RT decreases, making the exponent less negative. A less negative exponent means the exponential term grows, so k increases. Physically, more molecules have enough energy to overcome the activation barrier, leading to more successful collisions per unit time. Since the exponential term is always positive, k cannot become negative, and increasing temperature does not make k stay the same or decrease.

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