Arrhenius Equation Calculator
Calculate the rate constant k using k = A * e^(-Ea/(RT)).
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Enter the pre-exponential factor A, the activation energy Ea in J/mol, and the temperature in Kelvin. The calculator applies k = A * exp(-Ea/(RT)) where R = 8.314 J/(mol K).
About the Arrhenius Equation Calculator
The Arrhenius equation, proposed by Svante Arrhenius in 1889, is the foundational equation of chemical kinetics. It quantifies how the rate constant of a reaction depends on temperature, with the activation energy serving as the key parameter. The equation is used across chemistry, biochemistry, and materials science.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the pre-exponential factor A?
The pre-exponential factor (also called the frequency factor) represents the frequency of molecular collisions with the correct orientation. It has the same units as the rate constant and is typically between 10^8 and 10^13 for gas-phase reactions.
What does the Arrhenius equation tell us?
It shows that rate constants increase exponentially with temperature. A small increase in temperature can dramatically increase the reaction rate, especially for reactions with high activation energy.
Is the Arrhenius equation always valid?
It works well for many reactions over moderate temperature ranges. It may fail at very low temperatures (quantum tunneling effects), for reactions without a single well-defined barrier, or for enzyme-catalyzed reactions.