1. What is Temperature Coefficient?

Definition: The Temperature Coefficient (Φ) is the ratio of rate constants of a reaction at two temperatures differing by ten degrees Celsius.

Purpose: It helps quantify how temperature affects reaction rates in chemical kinetics.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( \Phi \) — Temperature coefficient (dimensionless)
• \( K_{(t+10)°C} \) — Rate constant at (T+10)°C (1/s)
• \( K_{t°C} \) — Rate constant at T°C (1/s)

Explanation: The ratio shows how much the reaction rate increases when temperature increases by 10°C.

3. Importance of Temperature Coefficient

Details: Understanding Φ helps predict reaction behavior at different temperatures and is crucial for industrial process optimization.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both rate constants in 1/s (same units). Values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a high Φ value indicate?
A: A high Φ means the reaction is very temperature-sensitive (rate increases significantly with temperature).

Q2: Typical range for Φ values?
A: Most reactions have Φ between 2-4, meaning rates double to quadruple per 10°C increase.

Q3: How is this related to Arrhenius equation?
A: Φ is an empirical approximation, while Arrhenius equation gives exact temperature dependence.

Q4: When would Φ be exactly 1?
A: When reaction rate is temperature-independent (extremely rare).

Q5: Can Φ be less than 1?
A: Yes, for reactions that slow down with increasing temperature (very unusual).