Question

How can the activation energy of a chemical reaction be lowered?

Answer 1

Activation energy, in chemistry, the minimum amount of energy that is required to activate atoms or molecules to a condition in which they can undergo chemical transformation or physical transport. In transition-state theory, the activation energy is the difference in energy content between atoms or molecules in an activated or transition-state configuration and the corresponding atoms and molecules in their initial configuration. The activation energy is usually represented by the symbol Ea in mathematical expressions for such quantities as the reaction rate constant, k = Aexp(−Ea/RT), and the diffusion coefficient, D = Doexp(−Ea/RT)

Answer 2

A substance that modifies the transition state to lower the activation energy is termed a catalyst; a catalyst composed only of protein and small molecule cofactors is termed an enzyme. It is important to note that a catalyst increases the rate of reaction without being consumed by it.