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Activation Energy

Definition

Activation Energy is defined as the minimum amount of energy required to initiate or start up a chemical reaction.

Related terms

Catalyst: A substance that lowers activation energy and speeds up a chemical reaction, but is not consumed in the process.

Exothermic Reaction: A reaction that releases energy, often in the form of heat. It requires less activation energy.

Endothermic Reaction: A reaction that absorbs energy from the surroundings. It usually requires more activation energy.

"Activation Energy" appears in:

Subjects (3)

  • AP Biology

  • Anatomy & Physiology

  • Organic Chemistry

Study guides (7)

  • AP Chemistry - 5.5 Collision Model

  • AP Chemistry - 5.6 Reaction Energy Profile

  • AP Chemistry - 5.7 Introduction to Reaction Mechanisms

  • AP Chemistry - 5.11 Catalysis

  • AP Chemistry - 6.2 Energy Diagrams of Reactions

  • AP Chemistry - 6.3 Kinetic Energy, Heat Transfer, and Thermal Equilibrium

  • AP Chemistry - 9.4 Thermodynamic and Kinetic Control

Additional resources (1)

  • AP Chemistry - 5.10 Multistep Reaction Energy Profile

Practice Questions (8)

  • Where is the activation energy located in an energy diagram?

  • Which of the following statements is true about the activation energy of a reaction pathway?

  • Which of the following statements is true about the activation energy of a reaction under enthalpy-driven versus entropy-driven conditions?

  • A catalyst can do which of the following with activation energy?

  • A lower activation energy can help increase the number of effective collisions. Which of the following contributes to that?

  • When more particles have a greater energy than it's activation energy, what happens to the reaction rate?

  • Which of the following is true about a change in activation energy and temperature?

  • Activation energy can be described as which of the following?

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About Us

About Fiveable

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Privacy Policy

CCPA Privacy Policy

Resources

Cram Mode

AP Score Calculators

Study Guides

Practice Quizzes

Glossary

Cram Events

Merch Shop

Crisis Text Line

Help Center

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.