What happens to the rate of oxidizing reactions under certain conditions for O2?

Study for the OSAT Physical Science Test. Practice with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The rate of oxidizing reactions involving oxygen (O2) generally occurs slowly because these reactions often require specific conditions to proceed at a noticeable rate. Many oxidation reactions have high activation energy, which means they need a significant energy input to begin. While some reactions can be very rapid, especially if conditions are favorable (such as in the presence of a catalyst or at elevated temperatures), the general behavior of oxidation reactions, especially at room temperature and in the absence of catalysts or extreme conditions, tends to be more gradual.

As temperature increases, for instance, while it's true that many reactions can speed up due to increased kinetic energy of the molecules (leading to more frequent and effective collisions), the statement indicating that these reactions generally take place slowly captures the typical behavior without specifying certain conditions. Therefore, the correct understanding is that while there are exceptions, many oxidation reactions involving O2 do not proceed quickly under normal conditions.

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