What is the term given to the minimum energy required by reactant molecules to undergo a chemical reaction?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Activation energy represents the minimum threshold of kinetic energy that reactant molecules must possess to engage in successful collisions and initiate a chemical reaction. Catalysts function by providing an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy, thereby accelerating the reaction rate without being consumed. This concept is a fundamental principle in chemical kinetics tested across various competitive examinations.