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Define activation energy as the minimum energy required for colliding particles to initiate a reaction.

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Cambridge IGCSE Combined ScienceChemical energeticsSupplement content

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Define activation energy as the minimum energy required for colliding particles to initiate a reaction

This point belongs to Exothermic and endothermic reactions, especially Exothermic and endothermic reactions outcomes.
You need to be able to define activation energy as the minimum energy required for colliding particles to initiate a reaction.
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This objective helps connect Exothermic and endothermic reactions outcomes to exam-style questions, flashcards, and revision notes for Exothermic and endothermic reactions.

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Paper 4 structured question: Exothermic and endothermic reactions

Paper 4Theory (Extended)1 marks

Description

Activation Energy in Reactions

Activation energy is the minimum energy required for colliding particles to initiate a reaction. It plays a crucial role in determining the rate of chemical reactions.

a
Define activation energy.
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Related learning objectives

Explain that an exothermic reaction releases thermal energy to the environment, resulting in a rise in the surrounding temperature.
Exothermic and endothermic reactions outcomes
Explain that an endothermic reaction absorbs thermal energy from the environment, causing a drop in the surrounding temperature.
Exothermic and endothermic reactions outcomes
Analyze reaction pathway diagrams that illustrate both exothermic and endothermic reactions.
Exothermic and endothermic reactions outcomes
Create and label reaction pathway diagrams for exothermic and endothermic reactions, including reactants, products, overall energy change, and activation energy.
Exothermic and endothermic reactions outcomes
Recognize that breaking bonds is an endothermic process while forming bonds is an exothermic process.
Exothermic and endothermic reactions outcomes

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