16.5 effect of temperature on reaction rates

Question 1

how does activation energy affect the rate constant?

Answer 1

lower Ea = higher k
- more particles have energy > Ea to react with reactants when they collide

Question 2

how does temperature affect the rate constant?

Answer 2

higher temp. = higher k
- particles have more kinetic energy & more likely to collide with less Ea -> higher rate of reaction