The rate of a chemical reaction doubled for every 10 °C rise in temperature. If the temperature is raised by 50 °C, the rate of reaction will be
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → 32 times higher
For many reactions the rate constant becomes nearly double for every 10 °C rise in temperature (the temperature coefficient is about 2). The factor is applied once for each 10 °C step, so the rates multiply; they do not add:
\( \displaystyle \frac{r_2}{r_1} = 2^{\,\Delta T/10} \)
\( \displaystyle \frac{\Delta T}{10} = \frac{50}{10} = 5 \)
\( \displaystyle \frac{r_2}{r_1} = 2^{5} = 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 = 32 \)
So the rate becomes 32 times higher.