## Activation Energy???

Arrhenius Equation: $\ln k = - \frac{E_{a}}{RT} + \ln A$

Nehal Banik
Posts: 64
Joined: Thu Jul 13, 2017 3:00 am

### Activation Energy???

Can someone please explain how activation energy has a role in playing during the rate of the reaction and how the overall procedure is affected?

Ryan Sydney Beyer 2B
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### Re: Activation Energy???

I believe that if the activation energy is high then the rate of the reaction is going to be slower but if the reaction energy is low then the reaction rate is going to be faster.

Gevork 2E
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### Re: Activation Energy???

Hi,

So the rate of the reaction can depend on the activation energy. I think a good example would be enzymes. They decrease the total activation energy required to start a reaction and are well known for catalyzing a reaction.

Thinking about it, I suppose if each molecule required less energy to react with another, then you might expect more reactions to occur under similar conditions.

Christine Wastila 1H
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Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:04 am

### Re: Activation Energy???

Both of the other replies are correct, but I have one thing to add for clarity. The source of activation energy is usually heat, so reactions with a higher activation energy have a slower rate because it takes longer for the reactant molecule(s) to absorb enough heat in order to form products.

John Huang 1G
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### Re: Activation Energy???

Steps with higher activation energy are often the limiting step because higher activation energies indicate a slower process. The slower steps of a reaction are the limiting ones.

Diane Bui 2J
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Joined: Sat Jul 22, 2017 3:00 am

### Re: Activation Energy???

Adding onto this, we also see how activation energy is related to the rate of a reaction through the function of enzymes. Enzymes affect the rate of the reaction by creating a new pathway with a smaller activation energy, and hence, the reaction proceeds faster because less energy is required for molecules to react when they collide.

Jessica_Singh_1J
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### Re: Activation Energy???

The rate of reaction is dependent upon the amount of activation energy the reaction requires. A high activation energy means a slower rate of reaction, and vice versa. Catalysts work to increase the rate of reaction by lowering activation energy.

CameronJohari1J
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### Re: Activation Energy???

Quick note, enzymes are not always catalysts and can be inhibitors. Inhibitors work the opposite to catalysts as they increase the activation energy for the reaction.