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Chemical Kinetics

The Arrhenius equation and activation energy

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 1

Overview

Frequency factor in the Arrhenius equation and units of the frequency factor.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Give the Arrhenius equation in logarithmic form, say what is plotted, and state what the gradient and intercept represent.

Key term

Write the Arrhenius equation.

Key term

Write the Arrhenius equation in its logarithmic form.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Write the Arrhenius equation.

    Model answer

    k = A exp(−Ea/RT), where A is the frequency factor, Ea the activation energy, R the gas constant and T the temperature in kelvin.

  2. 2

    What is meant by the frequency factor in the Arrhenius equation?

    Model answer

    It is the pre-exponential factor A, which is related to how often the reacting particles collide with the correct orientation.

  3. 3

    Write the Arrhenius equation in its logarithmic form.

    Model answer

    ln k = ln A − Ea/(RT).

  4. 4

    Which quantities are plotted to obtain the activation energy from Arrhenius data?

    Model answer

    ln k is plotted on the vertical axis against 1/T on the horizontal axis.

  5. 5

    State what the gradient and the intercept of an Arrhenius plot represent.

    Model answer

    The gradient equals −Ea/R and the intercept on the ln k axis equals ln A.

  6. 6

    An Arrhenius plot has a gradient of −6.02 × 10³ K. Calculate the activation energy, taking R as 8.31 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹.

    Model answer

    Ea = 6.02 × 10³ × 8.31 = 5.00 × 10⁴ J mol⁻¹, which is 50.0 kJ mol⁻¹.

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AThe equation is k = A exp(−Ea/RT).
BHere k is the rate constant.
CA is the pre-exponential factor.

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