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Question

Difficulty: EasyIdentifying Core Claims and Hypotheses

### Chemical Reaction Rates

Two students discuss the factors that affect the rate of a chemical reaction.

Student 1
An increase in temperature is the primary driver of increased reaction rates. When the temperature of a reaction mixture is raised, the reactant particles gain thermal energy, which increases their kinetic energy. As a result, the particles move faster and collide both more frequently and with greater force, exceeding the activation energy barrier. Adding a catalyst has no effect on the reaction rate unless the temperature of the system is also increased.

Student 2
Adding a catalyst is the only effective method to increase the rate of a chemical reaction under constant pressure. A catalyst works by providing an alternative pathway with a lower activation energy for the reaction. Reactant particles do not need extra kinetic energy to react because the energy barrier is reduced. Increasing the temperature only increases the thermal energy of the particles but does not alter the rate of the reaction itself.

According to Student 2, a catalyst increases the rate of a chemical reaction by performing which of the following actions?

  1. Lowering the activation energy of the reactionAnswer
  2. B
    Increasing the temperature of the reaction mixture
  3. C
    Increasing the kinetic energy of the reactant particles
  4. D
    Increasing the pressure of the reaction vessel

Answer

Lowering the activation energy of the reaction
The correct option is the one stating that a catalyst lowers the activation energy of the reaction. Student 2 explicitly claims that a catalyst works by lowering the activation energy, rather than increasing temperature or kinetic energy.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Locate Student 2's explanation of how a catalyst works in the passage.
Student 2 states: 'A catalyst works by providing an alternative pathway with a lower activation energy for the reaction.'
This identifies the mechanism proposed by Student 2.
2
Match this statement to the correct option.
The statement matches the option indicating that the catalyst lowers the activation energy of the reaction.
This confirms the correct choice based on Student 2's core claim.

Key Concept

Identifying core claims and hypotheses in conflicting viewpoints
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Identifying Core Claims and Hypotheses

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