Finding the Activation Energy

• Very often, the Arrhenius equation is used to calculate the activation energy of a reaction
• A question will either give sufficient information for the Arrhenius equation to be used or a graph can be plotted and the calculation done from the plot

Using the equation:

• Remember, it is usually easier to use the version of the Arrhenius equation after natural logs of each side have been taken

Using an Arrhenius plot:

• A graph of ln?k?against 1/T?can be plotted, and then used to calculate?E_a
  • This gives a line which follows the form y = mx + c

The graph of ln k against 1/T is a straight line with gradient -E_a/R

• From the graph, the equation in the form of y = mx + c is as follows:

Answers

Answer 1:

Answer 2:

Answer 3: