For a chemical reaction the relationship between the rate constant, kkk, and the temperature, TTT, is shown by the Arrhenius equation: k=Ae−EaRTk = A e^{-\frac{E_a}{RT}}k=Ae−RTEa
For the thermal decomposition of gaseous azomethane:
At temperature T1T_1T1 the rate constant, k=1.61×103 s−1k = 1.61 \times 10^3 \text{ s}^{-1}k=1.61×103 s−1
Calculate the temperature T1T_1T1. The gas constant, R=8.31 J K−1 mol−1R = 8.31 \text{ J K}^{-1} \text{ mol}^{-1}R=8.31 J K−1 mol−1
Explain why the rate of reaction is faster at a higher temperature T2T_2T2 than at T1T_1T1, with reference to the distribution of molecular kinetic energies.