Which of the following most likely causes the particles in a chemical reaction to slow down?

Group of answer choices

Raising the thermal energy of the particles

Lowering the temperature

Adding heat to the reaction

Increasing the rate of the reaction

1 answer

The option that most likely causes the particles in a chemical reaction to slow down is:

Lowering the temperature.

When the temperature is lowered, the thermal energy of the particles decreases, causing them to move more slowly. This reduction in movement can lead to fewer collisions between particles, which can slow down the rate of the reaction.