A student hypothesises that increasing the temperature of an exothermic reaction slows down the reaction rate because less products are produced. Is this student correct? Give reasons. (4 marks)
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→ The student is incorrect.
→ Exothermic reactions release heat to the surrounding environment, as modelled in this general reaction equation:
\(\ce{R_{(1)} + R_{(2)} \rightleftharpoons P_{(1)} + P_{(2)} + Heat}\)
→ Increasing the temperature will result in fewer products being produced as the position of equilibrium shifts to the left (as per Le Chatelier’s principle).
→ However, contrary to the student’s hypothesis, fewer products being produced does not cause the reaction rate to slow down.
→ In fact, the rate of reaction will increase as the kinetic energy of particles will increase, leading to more successful particle collisions that exceed \(\ce{E_{a}}\).
→ The mistake the student has made is viewing fewer products as causing a decrease in reaction rate. The actual occurrence has been a shift in equilibrium to the left and an increase in the (forward) reaction rate to reach equilibrium.
→ The student is incorrect.
→ Exothermic reactions release heat to the surrounding environment, as modelled in this general reaction equation:
\(\ce{R_{(1)} + R_{(2)} \rightleftharpoons P_{(1)} + P_{(2)} + Heat}\)
→ Increasing the temperature will result in fewer products being produced as the position of equilibrium shifts to the left (as per Le Chatelier’s principle).
→ However, contrary to the student’s hypothesis, fewer products being produced does not cause the reaction rate to slow down.
→ In fact, the rate of reaction will increase as the kinetic energy of particles will increase, leading to more successful particle collisions that exceed \(\ce{E_{a}}\).
→ The mistake the student has made is viewing fewer products as causing a decrease in reaction rate. The actual occurrence has been a shift in equilibrium to the left and an increase in the (forward) reaction rate to reach equilibrium.