If the rate of a reaction doubles when the temperature is increased by 10°C, wha
Practice Questions
Q1
If the rate of a reaction doubles when the temperature is increased by 10°C, what is the approximate activation energy (Ea) of the reaction?
20 kJ/mol
40 kJ/mol
60 kJ/mol
80 kJ/mol
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
If the rate of a reaction doubles when the temperature is increased by 10°C, what is the approximate activation energy (Ea) of the reaction?
Step 1: Understand that the rate of a reaction can change with temperature.
Step 2: Know that the Arrhenius equation relates temperature and reaction rate to activation energy (Ea).
Step 3: Recognize the rule of thumb: if the rate doubles with a 10°C increase, it suggests a specific activation energy.
Step 4: Remember that for an activation energy of around 40 kJ/mol, the rate will double with a 10°C increase.
Step 5: Conclude that the approximate activation energy (Ea) of the reaction is 40 kJ/mol.
Arrhenius Equation – The Arrhenius equation relates the rate of a chemical reaction to temperature and activation energy, indicating how temperature affects reaction rates.
Activation Energy (Ea) – The minimum energy required for a chemical reaction to occur, which can be estimated using temperature changes and reaction rate observations.
Temperature Dependence of Reaction Rates – The principle that reaction rates typically increase with temperature, often following a specific pattern that can be quantified.
