The average thermal energy per particle is roughly kT, where k is Boltzmann's constant and T is temperature
Activation energy is the energy needed to break the bonds that hold particles in matter together. It is the energy needed to make something happen.
When kT is big compared to the activation energy, bonds are broken and the matter comes apart.
Processes such as a change of state, ionisation in a candle flame, viscous flow, conduction in a semiconductor and thermionic emission require kT to be greater than activ. energy in order to occur
Particles gain extra energy through random collisions
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The Boltzmann Factor
The Boltzmann factor gives the ratio of the number of particles in energy states E joules apart
It varies with temperature. At a low temperature, the factor is very low, so few particles will have sufficient energy to react and the rate of reaction will be low.
At high temperatures, the Boltzmann factor approaches 1, so nearly all the particles will have enough energy to react and the reaction will be really fast
The rate of a reaction with activation energy E is proportional to the Boltzmann factor
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