Science, Tech, Math Science

Activation Energy Example Problem

Calculate Activation Energy from Reaction Rate Constants

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Reactions usually proceed more quickly at higher temperatures. Petra Schrambhmer / Getty Images

by Todd Helmenstine
Updated July 10, 2017

Activation energy is the amount of energy that needs to be supplied in order for a
reaction to proceed. This example problem demonstrates how to determine the
activation energy of a reaction from reaction rate constants at different temperatures.

ACTIVATION ENERGY PROBLEM

A second-order reaction was observed. The reaction rate constant at 3 C was found to be
8.9 x 10-3 L/mol and 7.1 x 10-2 L/mol at 35 C.

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What is the activation energy of this reaction?

Solution

Activation energy is the amount of energy required to initiate a chemical reaction. If less
energy is available, a chemical reaction is unable to proceed.The activation energy can
be determined from reaction rate constants at different temperatures by the equation

ln(k2/k1) = Ea/R x (1/T1 - 1/T2)

where
Ea is the activation energy of the reaction in J/mol
R is the ideal gas constant = 8.3145 J/Kmol
T1 and T2 are absolute temperatures
k1 and k2 are the reaction rate constants at T1 and T2

Step 1 - Convert C to K for temperatures

T = C + 273.15
T1 = 3 + 273.15
T1 = 276.15 K
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T2 = 35 + 273.15
T2 = 308.15 K

Step 2 - Find Ea

ln(k2/k1) = Ea/R x (1/T1 - 1/T2)

ln(7.1 x 10-2/8.9 x 10-3) = Ea/8.3145 J/Kmol x (1/276.15 K - 1/308.15 K)
ln(7.98) = Ea/8.3145 J/Kmol x 3.76 x 10-4 K-1
2.077 = Ea(4.52 x 10-5 mol/J)
Ea = 4.59 x 104 J/mol

or in kJ/mol, (divide by 1000)

Ea = 45.9 kJ/mol

Answer:

The activation energy for this reaction is 4.59 x 104 J/mol or 45.9 kJ/mol.

USING A GRAPH TO FIND ACTIVATION ENERGY FROM RATE CONSTANT

Another way to calculate the activation energy of a reaction is to graph ln k (the rate
constant) versus 1/T (the inverse of the temperature in Kelvin). The plot will form a
straight line where:

m = - Ea/R

where m is the slope of the line, Ea is the activation energy, and R is the ideal gas
constant of 8.314 J/mol-K.

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If you took temperature measurements in Celsius or Fahrenheit, remember to convert

them to Kelvin before calculating 1/T and plotting the graph!

If you were to make a plot of the energy of the reaction versus the reaction coordinate,
the difference between the energy of the reactants and the products would be H, while
the excess energy (the part of the curve above that of the products) would be the
activation energy.

Keep in mind, while most reaction rates increase with temperature, there are some cases
in which rate of reaction decreases with temperature. These reaction have a negative
activation energy. So, while you should expect activation energy to be a positive number,
be aware it's possible for it to be negative.

WHO DISCOVERED ACTIVATION ENERGY?

Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius proposed the term "activation energy" in 1880 to
dene the minimum energy needed for the chemical reactants to interact and form
products. In a diagram, activation energy is graphed as the height of an energy barrier
between two minimum points of potential energy. The minimum points are the energies
of the stable reactants and products.

Even exothermic reactions, like burning a candle, require energy input.

In the case of combustion, a lit match or extreme heat starts the reaction. From there,
the heat evolved from the reaction supplies the energy to make it self-sustaining.

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