Hire a tutor

Describe the differences between the rate law and activation energy.

The rate law describes the relationship between the rate of a chemical reaction and the concentration of reactants.

Activation energy is the minimum amount of energy required for a chemical reaction to occur. It is the energy required to break the bonds in the reactants and form new bonds in the products. The activation energy determines the rate of the reaction, as reactions with higher activation energies require more energy to occur and therefore occur at a slower rate.

The rate law, on the other hand, describes the rate of a reaction in terms of the concentration of reactants. It is an equation that relates the rate of the reaction to the concentrations of the reactants, and is determined experimentally. The rate law can be used to predict how changes in the concentration of reactants will affect the rate of the reaction.

While the activation energy and rate law are related, they describe different aspects of a chemical reaction. The activation energy determines the rate of the reaction, while the rate law describes how the rate of the reaction is affected by changes in the concentration of reactants. Both are important concepts in understanding chemical reactions and their rates.

Study and Practice for Free

Trusted by 100,000+ Students Worldwide

Achieve Top Grades in your Exams with our Free Resources.

Practice Questions, Study Notes, and Past Exam Papers for all Subjects!

Need help from an expert?

4.93/5 based on486 reviews

The world’s top online tutoring provider trusted by students, parents, and schools globally.

Related Chemistry a-level Answers

    Read All Answers
    Loading...