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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Steenrod on October 29, 2012, 12:43:02 AM

Title: Proof of Arrhenius equation
Post by: Steenrod on October 29, 2012, 12:43:02 AM

How do we prove Arrhenius equation for the relation between rate constant [itex]k[/itex] and temperature [itex]T[/itex] given by [tex]k=Ae^{\frac{-E_a}{RT}}[/tex] where [itex]E_a[/itex] is the energy of activation?

(I am looking for a rigorous proof)Thanks in advance.

Title: Re: Proof of Arrhenius equation
Post by: curiouscat on October 29, 2012, 02:01:09 AM

I think you get there from the Boltzman Distribution.

Title: Re: Proof of Arrhenius equation
Post by: Steenrod on October 29, 2012, 03:13:47 AM

I am rather ignorant.Can you please post a proof?

Title: Re: Proof of Arrhenius equation
Post by: Borek on October 29, 2012, 04:49:23 AM

Quote from: Steenrod on October 29, 2012, 12:43:02 AM

How do we prove Arrhenius equation

Quote

(I am looking for a rigorous proof)Thanks in advance.

While it can be probably done using statistical mechanics, chemistry is an experimental science, and the most important proof is not the theoretical one (as in math), but an experimental one - you do experiments to see how the reaction speed depends on the temperature.

Title: Re: Proof of Arrhenius equation
Post by: curiouscat on October 29, 2012, 05:09:23 AM

Quote from: Steenrod on October 29, 2012, 03:13:47 AM

I am rather ignorant.Can you please post a proof?

How about this?

http://faculty.concordia.ca/bird/c241/arrhenius.html

Title: Re: Proof of Arrhenius equation
Post by: Steenrod on October 29, 2012, 06:46:30 AM

Ok,I got it.Thanks.