The activation energies of two reactions are E1 and E2 with E1 E2. If the temperature of the reacting system is increased from T1 (rate constants are K1 and K2) to T2 (rate constants are K1' and K2'

Question

The activation energies of two reactions are E1 and E2 with E1 > E2. If the temperature of the reacting system is increased from T1 (rate constants are K1 and K2) to T2 (rate constants are K1' and K2'), predict which of the following alternative is correct?

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: B. According to Arrhenius theory, the ratio of rate constants at two temperatures is given by ln(K'/K) = E_a/R × (1/T1 - 1/T2). Since the term (1/T1 - 1/T2) is positive for T2 > T1, the ratio K'/K depends directly on the activation energy E_a. Since E1 > E2, we have ln(K1'/K1) > ln(K2'/K2) => K1'/K1 > K2'/K2.

💡 Solution & Explanation

Practice 22,000+ questions like this