What occurs to reaction rates as temperature increases in most chemical processes?

As temperature increases in most chemical processes, reaction rates tend to increase. This can be attributed to the kinetic molecular theory, which states that an increase in temperature provides more energy to the reactant molecules. When molecules possess more energy, they move faster and collide more frequently and with greater force. This enhances the likelihood of overcoming the activation energy barrier needed for a reaction to occur, thereby accelerating the rate of the reaction.

Additionally, higher temperatures can often lead to a higher proportion of collisions that result in successful reactions, further contributing to the overall increase in reaction rates. This principle is widely observed in both organic and inorganic reactions, making it a fundamental concept in physical chemistry.