Question

If the rate constant of a reaction at 600K is 100 times the rate constant at 500K, then the value of the activation energy obtained by Transition state theory is ____

(a) 120987.12

(b) 167435.15

(c) 110319.28

(d) 156435.54

The question was posed to me during an interview for a job.

The origin of the question is Kinetics of Homogeneous Reactions in chapter Kinetics of Homogeneous Reactions of Chemical Reaction Engineering

Answer 1

The correct choice is (c) 110319.28

For explanation: By Transition state theory, ln(\(\frac{k_2}{k_1}) = -\frac{E}{R} (\frac{1}{T_2} – \frac{1}{T_1}) + ln(\frac{T_2}{T_1}) \)

ln(\(\frac{100k_1}{k_1}) = -\frac{E}{8.314} (\frac{1}{600} – \frac{1}{500}) + ln(\frac{600}{500}) \)

E = 110319.28.