Question

A student performs a reaction twice. In the second trial, she raises the temperature by 20¨¬C and notices that the reaction takes place more quickly. She concludes that the reaction must be endothermic. Explain why the student is incorrect.

Answer 1

reaction rate goes up with temperature because increased temperature leads to higher kinetic energy and higher kinetic energy means more molecules at or above the needed activation energy for the reaction. This doesn't mean that the reaction is necessarily endothermic — it is true for both endothermic and exothermic reactions.

Answer 2

Right. But it says it's incorrect so I need to explain why it is, not why they are the same.

Answer 3

@whpalmer4 @Rushwr

Answer 4

@sweetburger please help

Answer 5

If it applies to both, then it is not a valid reason for choosing one.

Answer 6

It's like deciding you want a pet with fur, and using that as a reason for deciding to get a dog instead of a cat.

Answer 7

well you can simply quote the direct relation b/w temp. and and rate of reaction :)