Equations · equation
Arrhenius Equation
Chemical Kinetics · 1889
- Equation
- k = A·e^(−Eₐ/RT)
- Field
- Chemical Kinetics
- Named After
- Svante Arrhenius
- Year
- 1889
Symbols
k rate constant · A pre-exponential factor (how often molecules collide, well-oriented) · Eₐ activation energy, the barrier to react · R gas constant · T absolute temperature
Significance
Reaction rates climb exponentially with temperature, because only the Boltzmann tail of molecules has energy above the barrier — the rule of thumb that rates double per 10 °C. Cooking, food spoilage, battery aging, and firefly flashes all follow it.
Referenced by
constant
element
equation
event
skill
theory
Open on the Equations shelf — the interactive card, the filters, and everything alongside it.