Related Formula
k = A e-(Eₐ)/(RT)$$k = A e^{-\frac{E_a}{RT}}$$
Core Logic
Let the activation energy of the uncatalyzed reaction be Eₐ$E_a$.
Activation energy of the catalyzed reaction = Eₐ - 10 kJ mol⁻¹$= E_a - 10 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}$.
kuncatalyzed = A e-(Eₐ)/(RT)$k_{\text{uncatalyzed}} = A e^{-\frac{E_a}{RT}}$
kcatalyzed = A e-((Eₐ - 10000))/(RT)$k_{\text{catalyzed}} = A e^{-\frac{(E_a - 10000)}{RT}}$
Dividing the two rate constants:
kcatalyzedkuncatalyzed = e(Δ Eₐ)/(RT)$$\frac{k_{\text{catalyzed}}}{k_{\text{uncatalyzed}}} = e^{\frac{\Delta E_a}{RT}}$$ where Δ Eₐ = 10 kJ mol⁻¹ = 10000 J mol⁻¹$\Delta E_a = 10 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1} = 10000 \text{ J mol}^{-1}$.
Step 1: Calculate Logarithm Ratio
Taking natural logarithm on both sides:
ln ( kcatalyzedkuncatalyzed) = (Δ Eₐ)/(RT)$$\ln \left(\frac{k_{\text{catalyzed}}}{k_{\text{uncatalyzed}}}\right) = \frac{\Delta E_a}{RT}$$
Converting to base 10 logarithm:
₁₀ ( kcatalyzedkuncatalyzed) = (Δ Eₐ)/(2.303 RT)$$\log_{10} \left(\frac{k_{\text{catalyzed}}}{k_{\text{uncatalyzed}}}\right) = \frac{\Delta E_a}{2.303 RT}$$
Substitute the values (R = 8.314 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹$R = 8.314 \text{ J K}^{-1} \text{ mol}^{-1}$, T = 300 K$T = 300 \text{ K}$):
₁₀ ( kcatalyzedkuncatalyzed) = (10000)/(2.303 × 8.314 × 300)$$\log_{10} \left(\frac{k_{\text{catalyzed}}}{k_{\text{uncatalyzed}}}\right) = \frac{10000}{2.303 \times 8.314 \times 300}$$
₁₀ ( kcatalyzedkuncatalyzed) = (10000)/(5744.14) ≈ 1.741$$\log_{10} \left(\frac{k_{\text{catalyzed}}}{k_{\text{uncatalyzed}}}\right) = \frac{10000}{5744.14} \approx 1.741$$
Pattern Recognition
Remember that lowering activation energy by Δ Eₐ$\Delta E_a$ increases the rate by a factor of eΔ Eₐ / RT$e^{\Delta E_a / RT}$. Taking log base 10 simply scales this exponent by 1/2.303$1/2.303$.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Chemistry: Chemical Kinetics