Free Activation Energy Calculator

Calculate activation energy from rate constants at two temperatures using the Arrhenius equation.

K
K

Activation Energy

40.20 kJ/mol

Activation Energy40,202 J/mol

Arrhenius Equation and Activation Energy

The Arrhenius equation relates the rate constant to temperature through the activation energy barrier.

Two-Point Formula

ln(k2/k1) = (Ea/R) × (1/T1 - 1/T2)

Solving for Ea:

Ea = R × ln(k2/k1) / (1/T1 - 1/T2)

where R = 8.314 J/(mol·K). Higher activation energy means the reaction rate is more sensitive to temperature.

Example Calculation

A reaction with k1 = 0.001 s⁻¹ at 300 K and k2 = 0.01 s⁻¹ at 350 K.

  1. 01ln(k2/k1) = ln(0.01/0.001) = ln(10) = 2.303
  2. 021/T1 - 1/T2 = 1/300 - 1/350 = 0.000476
  3. 03Ea = 8.314 × 2.303 / 0.000476 = 40,206 J/mol = 40.21 kJ/mol

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