In general chemical reactions tend to happen faster at higher temperatures. This is because when particles are warmer they have more kinetic energy and are thus more likely to collide with each other. As a result more successful collisions (i.e. collisions that lead to a reaction) occur when the reactants are hot.
However there are some exceptions to this rule. Some reactions actually occur more slowly at higher temperatures because the heat causes the reactants to break down into different products. For example the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen is a slow process at room temperature but it speeds up as the temperature is increased.
ultimately the effect of temperature on the rate of a chemical reaction depends on the specific reaction in question. Some reactions are faster at higher temperatures while others are slower. Therefore it is important to consult a reference to determine how temperature will affect a particular reaction.
What is the effect of temperature on a chemical reaction?
Generally an increase in temperature will increase the rate of a chemical reaction.
What is the reason for this?
An increase in temperature means that the particles of the reactants have more kinetic energy and thus collide more frequently.
What is the limit to this?
If a reaction is too exothermic the heat released can cause the reactants to decompose.
What is the effect of temperature on a specific reaction?
The effect of temperature on a specific reaction depends on the activation energy of the reaction.
What is activation energy?
The activation energy is the amount of energy required to start a chemical reaction.
How can temperature be used to control a chemical reaction?
If the activation energy is high then a higher temperature is needed to increase the rate of reaction.
If the activation energy is low then a lower temperature is needed.
What is the Arrhenius equation?
The Arrhenius equation is a mathematical equation used to calculate the rate constant of a chemical reaction.
What is the rate constant?
The rate constant is a measure of the rate of a chemical reaction.
What are the units of the rate constant?
The units of the rate constant depend on the order of the reaction.
What is the order of a reaction?
The order of a reaction is the power to which the concentration of a reactant is raised in the rate equation.
What is the rate equation?
The rate equation is an equation that relates the rate of a reaction to the concentrations of the reactants.
What is the effect of temperature on the rate constant?
The effect of temperature on the rate constant is described by the Arrhenius equation.
What is the effect of temperature on the rate of a reaction?
The effect of temperature on the rate of a reaction is described by the Arrhenius equation.
What is the Arrhenius equation?
The Arrhenius equation is a mathematical equation used to calculate the rate constant of a chemical reaction.
What is the activation energy?
The activation energy is the amount of energy required to start a chemical reaction.
