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The Chemical Industry

The Arrhenius equation and what each symbol means

  • 3 things to know
  • Components 01, 02 and 03

Overview

Recall questions on the exponential and logarithmic forms, what Ea, A, R and T each represent, and why k rises steeply with temperature.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Numbers

What is the straight-line form of the Arrhenius equation, what does each symbol mean, and what is the gas constant?

Numbers

Why does k rise steeply with temperature, what does a larger activation enthalpy do, and which quantities are plotted?

Numbers

Write the Arrhenius equation in its exponential form.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Write the Arrhenius equation in its exponential form.

    Model answer

    The equation is k = Ae^(−Ea/RT).

  2. 2

    Write the Arrhenius equation in its logarithmic form.

    Model answer

    The equation is ln k = −Ea/RT + ln A.

  3. 3

    Rearrange k = Ae^(−Ea/RT) into the straight-line form used for graphical work.

    Model answer

    Taking natural logarithms of both sides gives ln k = −Ea/RT + ln A.

  4. 4

    What does each symbol in the Arrhenius equation represent?

    Model answer

    k is the rate constant, A the pre-exponential factor, Ea the activation enthalpy, R the gas constant and T the absolute temperature.

  5. 5

    State the value and units of the gas constant used in Arrhenius calculations.

    Model answer

    R = 8.314 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹.

  6. 6

    In which unit must the temperature be expressed?

    Model answer

    The temperature must be in kelvin.

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