Prev. Article Next Article Table of Contents

Article

Why the Arrhenius Equation Is Always in the Exponentially Increasing Region in Chemical Kinetic Studies

Harvey F. Carroll

Department of Physical Sciences, Kingsborough Community College, The City University of New York, 2001 Oriental Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY 11235

J. Chem. Educ., 1998, 75 (9), p 1186

DOI: 10.1021/ed075p1186

Publication Date (Web): September 1, 1998

Abstract

The Arrhenius equation in chemical kinetics, k = Ae^-E_a/RT, has, as T gets larger, an inflection point where it changes from an "exponentially increasing" curve to one approaching an asymptote of A. The inflection point occurs at T = E_a/2R. For any activation energy, the inflection point occurs at such a high temperature that chemical kinetic studies would not be possible. Thus, the Arrhenius equation always appears to be exponentially increasing in any chemical kinetic studies of interest.

View: Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links