Activation energy
Definition
Activation energy is the minimum amount of energy required to initiate a chemical reaction. It determines the rate at which the reaction proceeds.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- Activation energy acts as an energy barrier that reactants must overcome for a reaction to occur.
- Enzymes lower the activation energy required for biochemical reactions, making them proceed faster.
- The activation energy can be supplied in various forms, such as heat or light.
- In biological systems, many reactions would not occur at a perceptible rate without enzymes reducing their activation energies.
- The transition state is the high-energy state that reactants must reach before forming products.
Review Questions
- What role does activation energy play in chemical reactions?
- How do enzymes influence activation energy in biochemical reactions?
- Why is activation energy important for understanding reaction rates in biological systems?
"Activation energy" appears in:
Related terms
enzyme: Proteins that act as biological catalysts by lowering the activation energy of reactions.
catalyst: A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing permanent change.
transition state: A high-energy state during a chemical reaction through which reactants must pass before forming products.
