what is activation energy?explain with examples.
The minimum extra amount of energy absorbed by reactant molecules so that their energy becomes equal to the threshold value is called activation energy. In other words energy required to form the unstable intermediate or activated complex is known as activation energy.
The factors on which activation energy depends are :
1. Catalyst: Catalyst provides an alternative path for the reaction to go with low activation energy.
2. Temperature
3. Concentration
4. Pressure
5. Surface area
6. Collision frequency
7. Medium of the reaction
example of activation energy is Boiling water you must first heat the water to get it to boil.
Also, striking a match, the energy caused by the friction of a match on the matchbox provides the activation energy for the match to ignite.