Activation energy
What Activation energy means in Combined Science GCSE, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of Activation energy
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Reference: AQA
The vertical distance from the reactant energy level to the highest point of the curve, representing the minimum energy particles need to react.
The energy that a collision must have for a reaction to happen, with more collisions reaching it at higher temperature.
Collisions with energy greater than or equal to this value are needed for reaction when temperature increases.
The energy difference from the reactant energy level to the peak of the curve on a reaction profile.
The minimum energy needed to break the bonds in reactant particles so new bonds can form.
The rise from reactants to the peak, which does not by itself decide the classification.
Topics that use Activation energy
- Catalysts (AQA GCSE)
- Collision theory and activation energy (AQA GCSE)
- Key ideas (AQA GCSE)
- Reaction profiles (AQA GCSE)
Related terms
- Catalysts
- Collision theory
- Action at a distance
- Active site
- Adaptation
- Anaerobic respiration
- Biological catalysts
- Carbon and nitrogen cycles
Using Activation energy in the exam
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