Activation energy, ΔG‡

Definition

Activation energy (ΔG‡) is the minimum amount of energy required to initiate a chemical reaction, specifically the energy needed to reach the transition state from the reactants. It's a crucial factor in determining the rate at which a reaction will occur in organic chemistry.

Related terms

Transition State: The highest energy state during a chemical reaction where reactants are converted into products.

Reaction Rate: The speed at which reactants are converted into products in a chemical reaction, influenced by factors including activation energy.

Gibbs Free Energy (ΔG): A thermodynamic quantity that describes the amount of work obtainable from a chemical reaction and helps predict whether reactions will be spontaneous