A slightly bruised apple will rot extensively in about 4 days at room temperature (20 degrees C). If it is kept in the refrigerator at 0 degress C, the same extent of rotting takes about 16 days. What is the activation energy for the rotting reaction?

The answer to the question is

The activation energy for the rotting reaction = 46.15 kJ/mol

Explanation:

To solve the question we have the Arrhenius's equation given by

k =

Where Ea = Activation energy

R = Universal gas constant

T = temperature in kelvin

A = Arrhenius constant

k  = Rate of reaction

k  = 4 days to rot at 20 °C =

at 0 °C k = 16 days = therefore

k₂₀/k₀ = ÷ or

4/16 = ÷ or = 4 ×

= ln 4 + or Ea = 46145.21 J/mol or 46.15 kJ/mol

"among the transition metal elements, manganese and zinc have a slight lowering of electronegativities. the reason behind this is that the nuclear charges of these elements are slightly weaker than the other transition metal elements due to the way their valence electrons are filled up. both manganese and zinc have their valence electrons filled up to the 4th shell with 1 pair of electrons (4s2) completely occupying it. although the electrons in the 3rd shell (3d) are yet to be paired since the outer most shell is filled up, the ability of the nucleus to attract electrons is lessened. hence,   the electronegativity (or the ability to attract electrons) is lessened."

b. accuracy of the data matters alot more than its number of digits, organization or amount of detail. quantitative observation is more accepted than the qualitative observation.