According to collision theory, a reaction occurs only when colliding molecules
- A. are of the same size
- B. collide with energy equal to or greater than the activation energy and with the correct orientation
- C. collide at low temperature
- D. collide exactly head on, regardless of energy
Explanation
Most collisions are fruitless because the molecules either rebound with too little energy to break existing bonds or meet at the wrong angle for new bonds to form. Only collisions that satisfy both conditions are effective, and the fraction that do so is what determines the rate. Raising the temperature increases both the collision frequency and, far more importantly, the fraction with sufficient energy.