Arrhenius Equation

k = A e^{-E_a / RT}

Reaction rate constant increases exponentially with temperature.

By Svante Arrhenius

Chemical Sciences

Arrhenius Equation

1889 · Svante Arrhenius

Why it matters: Foundation of chemical kinetics, food preservation, and materials aging.

Discoverers: Svante Arrhenius (1889)

What does it mean?

Reaction rate constant increases exponentially with temperature.

Foundation of chemical kinetics, food preservation, and materials aging.

Symbol	Name	Unit	Meaning
$k$	Rate constant	—	Reaction rate
$A$	Pre-exponential	—	Frequency factor
$E_a$	Activation energy	J/mol	Energy barrier
$T$	Temperature	K	Absolute temperature

Doubling T often increases k by 2-4× for typical E_a.

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k = A e^{-E_a / RT}

Real-world impact

Planetary stewardship

Dynamics equations inform sustainability.

Photo: Unsplash — forest ecosystem

Reaction rate constant increases exponentially with temperature.

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