Definition of volume of activation, V

A quantity derived from the pressure dependence of the rate constant of a reaction (mainly used for reactions in solution), defined by the equation

V = -RT(ln k/p)T

providing that the rate constants of all reactions (except first-order reactions) are expressed in pressure-independent concentration units, such as mol dm- 3 at a fixed temperature and pressure.

The volume of activation is interpreted, according to transition state theory as the difference between the partial molar volumes of the transition state (V) and the sums of the partial volumes of the reactants at the same temperature and pressure, i.e.,

V = V - (rVR)

where r is the order in the reactant R and VR its partial molar volume.




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