Which factor does NOT increase the rate of a chemical reaction?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Decreasing the temperature of the system
- Step 1: Collision theory dictates that reaction rate increases with higher collision frequency and kinetic energy.
- Step 2: Decreasing temperature lowers the average kinetic energy of reactant molecules, meaning fewer collisions exceed activation energy, thus decreasing reaction rate.
Answer
Decreasing the temperature of the system.
Why not the others: 'Increasing reactant concentration' raises collision frequency; 'Adding a catalyst' lowers activation energy; 'Increasing surface area' exposes more particle sites to collisions.
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