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Activation energy is often studied under physical chemistry and it isEXAMS
a very important
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concept related to chemical kinetics in JEE. The term Activation Energy(https://shop.byjus.com/)
was rst used by a
Swedish scientist named Svante Arrhenius in the year 1889. +919243500460
Today, we learn about this
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concept as it helps us understand the energy requirements for a chemical reaction which
further gives us control over our actions and the environment.
Almost all the chemical reactions require some activation energy to go forward. Therefore,
it is important for students to know what is activation energy. We shall learn more about
this concept in this lesson.
Table of Content
Activation Energy De nition
Factors Affecting Activation Energy
Activation Energy Examples
Catalysts
Activated Complex
Activation Energy Formula
Activation Energy De nition
Activation energy is de ned as the minimum amount of extra energy required by a reacting
molecule to get converted into product. It can also be described as the minimum amount
of energy needed to activate or energize molecules or atoms so that they can undergo a
chemical reaction (https://byjus.com/chemistry/chemical-reactions/) or transformation.
What is the SI Unit of Activation Energy?
Activation energy is denoted by Ea. It is usually measured in joules (J) and or kilojoules per
mole (kJ/mol) or kilocalories per mole (kcal/mol).
Factors Affecting Activation Energy
Activation energy depends on two factors.
1. Nature of Reactants
In the case of ionic reactant, the value of (Ea) will be low because there is an attraction
between reacting species. While in the case of covalent reactant the value of Ea will be high
because energy is required to break the older bonds.
Also Read: Chemical Kinetics (https://byjus.com/jee/chemical-kinetics/)
2. Effect of Catalyst
Positive catalyst provides such an alternate path in which the value of Ea will be low, while
the negative catalyst provides such an alternate path in which the value of Ea will be high.
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Note: Activation energy does not depend upon the temperature, pressure, volume,
concentration, or coe cients of reactant.
Activation Energy Examples
Exothermic Reaction
Activation energy for Forward reaction (Ea)f
Activation energy for Forward reaction (Ea)b
(Ea)f < (Ea)b
(ROR)f > (ROR)b
△H = (Ea)f – (Ea)b
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△H = -ve value
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(Ea)f = △H Only one can be possible for Exothermic Reaction
(Ea)f > △H Classes
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(Ea)f < △H
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Read More: Exothermic Reaction (https://byjus.com/chemistry/exothermic-reaction/)
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Endothermic Reaction
(Ea)f > (Ea)b
(ROR)f < (ROR)b
△H = (Ea)b – (Ea)f
△H = +ve value
(Ea)f > △H (Always )…………universal
Read More: Endothermic Reaction (https://byjus.com/chemistry/endothermic-reaction/)
Catalysts
A catalyst (https://byjus.com/jee/catalyst/) is a chemical substance that either increases
or decreases the rate of a chemical reaction. In the case of activation energy, a catalyst
lowers it. However, the energies of the original reactants remain the same. A catalyst only
alters the activation energy.
Types of Catalysts
Positive Catalysts
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A catalyst which helps to increase the rate of reaction or which support the reaction to
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carry out quicky is called a positive catalyst. Such catalyst decreases activation energy by
accepting a smaller path, so the rate of reaction is increased.
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Negative Catalysts (Inhibitors)
A catalyst which decreases or retards or helps in slowing down the rate of reaction is
called negative catalysts.
It is because a negative catalyst increases activation energy by taking a longer alternative
path.
Points to Remember
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Forward Reaction: Those reactions in which the product formed are produced from
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reactants
Backward Reaction: These are those reactions when reaction
Classes goes from products to
reactants. COMPETITIVE EXAMS
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Activated Complex +919243500460
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When reactant molecules collide with each other at it’s highest energy point, an
intermediate is formed which remains in equilibrium (https://byjus.com/jee/chemical-
equilibrium/) with the main reactant. If this intermediate complex has an energy equal to or
greater than the Threshold Energy then it will be converted into product.
Activation Energy Formula
The formula used to nd the value of Activation Energy, Ea is;
K = Ae-Ea/RT
Where
K = Rate Constant
A = Arrhenius Constant
Ea = Activation Energy
R = Gas constant = 8.34J/K/mol
=8.314/1000 KJ/K/mol
= 2 cal/K/mol
= 0.0821 lit atm/K/mol
K = Ae-Ea/RT
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Taking log on both sides
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ln K = ln A – (Ea /RT)ln e
2.303 log K = 2.303 log A – Ea/RT Classes
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log K = log A – Ea /2.303RT
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Solved Examples Related To Activation Energy
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1. The rate constant of a 1st order reaction increases from 3 × 10-2 to 8 × 10-2 when the
temperature changes from 310K to 330K. Calculate the activation energy (Ea)?
Solution:
Given k2 = 8 × 10-2, k1 = 3 × 10-2, T1 = 310K, T2 = 330K
log kk12 = Ea
2.303R ( T11 − T2 )
1
−2
log 8×10
3×10−2 =
Ea
2.303R
1
( 310 − 1
330 )
log2.66 = Ea
2.303R (1.95503 × 10−4 )
0.4249 = Ea
2.303×8.314 × (1.95503 × 10−04 )
0.4249 = Ea
19.147 × (1.95503 × 10−04 )
0.4249 = 1.02106 × 10−5 × Ea
Ea = 41, 613.62
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Ea = 41.614kJ/mol
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2. The rate constant of the rst order reaction raises from 3 X 10-2 to 5×10-2 when the
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temperature change from 300K to 310K. Calculate the activation energy? EXAMS
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Solution:
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Given k2 = 3 × 10-2, k1 = 5 × 10-2, T1 = 300K, T2 = 310K (tel:919243500460)
log kk12 = Ea
2.303R ( T11 − T2 )
1
−2
log 5×10
3×10−2 =
Ea
2.303R
1
( 300 − 1
310 )
log1.66 = Ea
2.303R (1.07526 × 10−04 )
0.2218 = Ea
2.303×8.314 × (1.07526 × 10−04 )
0.2218 = Ea
19.147 × (1.07526 × 10−04 )
0.2218 = 5.6158 × 10−6 × Ea
Ea = 39, 495.7
Ea = 39.495kJ/mol
3. The rst order reactionhas rate constant of 2.0×10-2 and 6.0×10-2 at 00C and 300C.
Calculate the activation energy of the reaction?
Solution:
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Given k2 = 6 × 10-2, k1 = 2 × 10-2, T1 = 273K, T2 = 303K
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log kk12 = Ea
2.303R ( T11 − T2 )
1
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−2
log 6×10
2×10−2 = Ea
2.303R
1
( 273 − 1
303 )
(tel:919243500460)
log3 = Ea
2.303R (3.6267 × 10−04 )
0.4771 = Ea
2.303×8.314 × (3.6267 × 10−04 )
0.4771 = Ea
19.147 × (3.6267 × 10−04 )
0.4771 = 1.8941 × 10−5 × Ea
Ea = 25, 188.74
Ea = 25.188kJ/mol
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What is the meaning of high activation energy?
Answer:
High activation energy means high energy required to have a successful collision between
the particles, such as combustion. Even though combustion is an exothermic reaction,
because of the high activation energy it requires heat. The particle gains enough energy
from heat to overcome the barrier of activation energy.
2. What is the difference between the activation energy and energy?
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Answer:
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Activation energy is a type of energy. Energy is a capacity to some work whereas activation
energy is the energy need to form activated complex during
Classesthe chemical reaction.
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