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Arrhenius Equation Explorer

Run the Arrhenius Explorer fullscreen
Edit the MicroSim in the p5.js editor

About This MicroSim

The explorer pairs a control panel (activation energy, frequency factor, temperature-range slider, comparison checkbox) with two linked plots: k vs. temperature and an Arrhenius plot (ln k vs. 1/T). Students can immediately see how Ea and A shape both the curvature of k vs. T and the slope of the Arrhenius plot. A readout box reports rate constants at 298 K and 500 K for quick comparison.

How to Use

  1. Set the Ea slider to explore low- versus high-activation energy reactions (20–150 kJ/mol).
  2. Adjust the A (×10¹⁰ s⁻¹) slider to scale the frequency factor (pre-exponential term) and see how it shifts k values without changing slope.
  3. Modify the Tₘₐₓ slider to extend the temperature window of the plots (200 K to up to 1200 K).
  4. Check Show reference curve to overlay a dashed comparison curve with Ea = 40 kJ/mol, keeping the same A value.
  5. Watch the blue k vs. T curve and red Arrhenius line update in real time; the slope label shows −Ea/R.

Classroom Ideas

  • Sensitivity Analysis: Have students document how doubling Ea affects the calculated k at 298 K vs. 500 K.
  • Compare two reactions: Use the reference curve to contrast enzymes (low Ea) with uncatalyzed reactions (high Ea) on the same axes.
  • Two-temperature derivation: Ask learners to estimate Ea by reading ln k at two temperatures and comparing to the provided slope.
  • Lab prep: Before kinetics labs, use the simulator to illustrate why reactions with large Ea respond dramatically to small temperature increases.

Lesson Plan

Grade Level

Grades 11–12 (AP Chemistry Unit 5) and college kinetics courses

Duration

15 minutes as a mini-lab or warm-up before Arrhenius equation problem sets

Prerequisites

  • Natural log manipulation
  • Arrhenius equation form (k = Ae^(−Ea/RT))
  • Units and conversions for activation energy and the gas constant

Activities

  1. Instructor Demo (3 min): Show the two plots and point out how the slope on the Arrhenius plot equals −Ea/R.
  2. Guided Exploration (8 min): Students capture screenshots for two different Ea values, recording k at 298/500 K and the Arrhenius slope.
  3. Wrap-Up (4 min): Learners write a short explanation of why a high-Ea reaction is more temperature-sensitive than a low-Ea reaction.

Assessment

  • Exit ticket: “If Ea increases from 50 to 80 kJ/mol, describe what happens to the slope of ln k vs. 1/T and to k at 298 K.”
  • Pairs submit a side-by-side screenshot comparing their chosen reaction with the reference curve, highlighting slope differences.

References

  1. House, J. E. Principles of Chemical Kinetics, 3rd ed., Academic Press, 2015 — Arrhenius equation fundamentals.
  2. Atkins & de Paula. Physical Chemistry, 11th ed., Oxford University Press, 2017 — Activation energy and Arrhenius plots.