Fireflies flash at a rate that depends on the temperature. At 29oC, the average rate is 3.3 flashes every 10 seconds, whereas at 23oC, the average falls to 2.7 flashes every 10 seconds. Calculate the "energy of activation" (in kJ/mol) for the flashing process.

Answer 1

rate1 = 0.33/s for T1 = 29C (302 K)
rate2 = 0.27/s for T2 = 23 (296 K)
rate1 = k1(A)
rate2 = k2(A)
Calculate k1/k1 knowing rate1 and rate2. (A) is constant.

ln(k2/k1) = Ea(1/T1-1/T2)/R
Substitute and solve for Ea.