PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY PROPERTIES OF MATTER A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site activation energy The minimum energy needed for a specific chemical reaction to take place, even though the process may already be thermodynamically possible. In chemical kinetics, the activation energy is the height of the potential barrier separating the products and reactants. It determines the temperature dependence of the reaction rate. A catalyst can decrease the activation energy for a reaction by providing another pathway for the reaction. As the accompanying diagram shows, the activation energy, Ea, is distinct from the free energy difference, ΔG, between the reactants and products. Related categories    • PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY    • PROPERTIES OF MATTER Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP