What effect does an increase in temperature typically have on the rate of a chemical reaction?

An increase in temperature generally increases the rate of a chemical reaction due to the enhanced kinetic energy of the reacting particles. As temperature rises, molecules move faster and collide more frequently and with greater energy. These more energetic collisions facilitate overcoming the activation energy barrier, which is the minimum energy required for reactants to transform into products.

Higher temperatures also lead to a greater fraction of particles possessing sufficient energy to undergo a reaction. This increased frequency of collisions and the greater proportion of successful collisions result in a faster reaction rate, which is a consistent observation in chemical kinetics. Thus, the correct answer reflects the direct relationship between temperature and reaction rate, highlighting how thermal energy becomes a critical factor in reaction dynamics.