Arrhenius Equation
The equation describing how a rate constant varies with temperature and activation energy.
Formula / equation
k = A e^(−Ea/RT)
Unit
Various
In depth
Taking logarithms gives a straight line of ln k against 1/T with gradient −Ea/R, which is the standard way activation energies are measured. The exponential term represents the fraction of collisions with sufficient energy, and it is what makes rates so sensitive to temperature.
Examples in the real world
An activation energy of 50 kJ/mol roughly triples the rate for a 10 °C rise near room temperature.