Chapter 17, Problem 8A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:The reason due to which increase in the temperature increases the rate of the reaction needs to be explained.

Concept introduction:According to kinetic molecular theory, number of molecules at a given temperature is distributed over a range of kinetic energies. From the Maxwell-Boltzman distribution plot,we can infer that as the temperature increases fraction of molecules having greater kinetic energy than the activation energy increases.

Answer to Problem 8A

Increase of temperature causes rate of the reaction to increase.

Explanation of Solution

Particles can only react when there is collision between particles with certain threshold energycalled activation energy. To increase the rate of the reaction, we need to increase the number of energetic particles having equal or greater energy than that of activation energy.

Temperature is most important factor that affects the rate of a chemical reaction. With increase of temperature,kinetic energy of the molecules increases which results in high energy collision to bring about a chemical reaction.

Conclusion

Increase of temperature causes rate of the reaction to increase.