In general, as activation energy increases, reaction rate . goes down if the reaction is exothermic goes down if the reaction is endothermic stays the same regardless of whether the reaction is exothermic or endothermic goes down regardless of whether the reaction is exothermic or endothermic none of the above

goes down regardless of whether the reaction is exothermic or endothermic

Explanation:

The activation energy is the minimum energy the reactants in a chemical reaction will have to reach in order to be transformed into products.

Hence, the higher the activation energy of a reaction, the lower the reaction rate and the lower the activation energy of a reaction, the higher the reaction rate.

Activation energy is independent of whether a reaction is exothermic or endothermic.

Therefore, as activation energy increases, reaction rate goes down irrespective of whether is is exothermic or otherwise.