Arrhenius Equation

- The Arrhenius equation quantitatively describes the

relationship between the rate constant k, temperature and the
activation energy. The rate constant value increases with
increase in temperature and nothing else varies it!
k = A e
(-Ea/RT)

where k = rate constant (from the rate expression
A = a constant for a given reaction, sometimes
called the !frequency! or !pre"e#ponential! factor
and it seems to be linked to stereochemical factors
i.e. the spatial aspects of reactant particle collision.
e = !"#$ or the button on your calculator
Ea = activation energ% in $mol
"%

R = i&eal gas constant & '.(%) $mol
"%
*
"%

T = temperature in ' (*elvin &
o
+ , -.(
" /ewriting the Arrhenius equation in logarithmic form gives0
ln(k) = ln(A) - Ea
(RT)
or log(k & log(A 1 Ea
(-.(2( /T
" /earranging this gives you
log (k & ("Ea 33%33 , log (A
(-.(2(/ T
4 & m # , b
55 Therefore, plotting log k versus %6T will give a straight line.
" 7rom accurate rate &ata at &ifferent temperatures (e.g. 8 or
%2
o
intervals and a minimum of four results you can calculate the
values of k 9/ more simply, for a fi#ed !recipe!, a set of !rate!
results. 4ou then plot the value of ln(k or relative rate versus
the reciprocal temperature in *elvin.
" 7rom this graph, the slope of the line is equal to 1Ea6/. To
calculate the activation energy required, Ea & "/ # slope.
" :f you plot log k instead of ln k, the slope will be equal to
1Ea6(-.(2( / and Ea & "-.(2( / # slope.
" The Arrenhius Equation can also be manipulated so that it can
be used to solve for two different temperatures and two
different rate constants.
log k- & Ea (% " %
k% -.(2( / (T
%
T
-