In terms of collision theory, why do fridges keep food fresher for longer?

1 Answer
IDKwhatName
Jun 26, 2017

Less energy to provide to molecules, fewer molecules reach activation energy.

Explanation:

Food cam go off due to different chemicals reacting with, or colliding with other molecules, in the food. Molecules have to collide with a minimum amount of energy, the activation energy or #E_a#. The lower the temperature, the less energy the molecules have, and the slower they therefore go. A fridge provides quite low temperatures, meaning fewer molecules have #E_a# or higher. As there are fewer molecules to create a reaction, the food is kept fresher.

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