Based on the time and temperature data collected for the reaction of KMnO4 with either malonic acid or oxalic acid, one can conclude that generally as the temperature of a reaction is increased, the rate of the reaction increases. This is becaus: a. the activation energy is lowered and the reactant molecules collide with greater energy
b. the activation energy is lowered and the reactant molecules collide more frequently
c. the activation energy is lowered, the reactant molecules collide more frequently and with greater energy per collision
d. the reactant molecules collide more frequently and with greater energy per collision

The correct option is C ( the activation energy is lowered, the reactant molecules collide more frequently and with greater energy per collision).

Explanation:

The rate of a chemical reaction is defined as the quantity of products that are formed per unit time. Rates can be computed based on either how the reactants are used up or how products are formed.

There are factors that affects the rate of a chemical reaction and they include TEMPERATURE, catalyst, surface area of reacting substances and many among others.

TEMPERATURE increase in most chemical reactions increases the rate of the reaction. This is because molecules gain more energy at higher temperatures. This increases their kinetic energy resulting in more effective collision of the reactant molecules. The rate of reaction depends on the frequency of this effective collisions between the reacting particles.

Effective collision are those that result in reactions, which when they occur, the colliding particles become activated with increased kinetic energy. This kinetic energy must exceed a particular energy barrier for a particular reaction if the reaction must take place. This energy barrier that must be overcome is known as the ACTIVATION ENERGY.

c) should be the answer.