Equal masses of calcium trioxocarbonate(iv) were added to dilute hydrochloric acid at the temperature specified. Under which of the following conditions wou...

Equal masses of calcium trioxocarbonate(iv) were added to dilute hydrochloric acid at the temperature specified. Under which of the following conditions would the reaction be slowest?

Answer Details

The rate of a chemical reaction generally increases with temperature. Therefore, the reaction would be slowest at the lowest temperature, which is: calcium trioxocarbonate (IV) chips at 20°C. When calcium trioxocarbonate (IV) reacts with hydrochloric acid, it produces calcium chloride, water, and carbon dioxide gas. The reaction rate depends on the frequency of collisions between the reactant particles. At a lower temperature, the particles move more slowly and collide less frequently, which reduces the reaction rate. Calcium trioxocarbonate (IV) chips will react slower than calcium trioxocarbonate (IV) powder because the chips have less surface area available for the reaction to occur. Powder has a larger surface area, allowing for more collisions to occur between the reactant particles and increasing the reaction rate. Therefore, the slowest reaction would occur when calcium trioxocarbonate (IV) chips are added to dilute hydrochloric acid at 20°C.