Which condition results from a sudden increase in the forward rate constant in an exothermic chemical reactor?

💡 Explanation

When the forward rate constant increases sharply, the exothermic reaction accelerates due to the Arrhenius equation, generating heat faster than it can dissipate which escalates internal temperature until a thermal runaway condition. Therefore runaway and possible explosion results, rather than increased selectivity, lower pressure, or catalyst poisoning, which require drastically different conditions.

• Which outcome occurs when stellar core collapse continues without the degeneracy pressure?
• Which risk increases when exceeding the Carnot cycle's isothermal compression constraint within a refrigeration system?
• Which risk increases when a ship exceeds its roll period?
• Which outcome occurs when catalyst is absent from reactants?
• Which outcome occurs when suddenly depressurizing liquid carbon dioxide below its triple point?
• Which consequence results when thermal lensing increases excessively in a pulsed laser?