26. What is the relationship between the activation energy and rate constant of a chemical reaction? (A) The rate constant is proportional to the negative activation energy. (B) The rate constant is inversely proportional to the negative activation energy. (C) As the activation energy decreases, the rate constant remains constant. (D) As the activation energy increases, the rate constant increases exponentially. (E) As the activation energy increases, the rate constant decreases exponentially.