Question:

Given below are two statements
Statement I: Order of a reaction can be obtained from experiment and can have zero or positive integer or positive fraction values
Statement II: In the Arrhenius equation, the frequency factor is the fraction of molecules that can have energy higher than $E_{\text{a}}$

Show Hint

Remember that the exponential term $e^{-E_a/RT}$ is a dimensionless fraction, whereas the frequency factor $A$ has the same units as the rate constant $k$.
This unit comparison helps identify incorrect definitions of $A$.
Updated On: Jul 22, 2026
  • Both statements I and II are correct
  • Both statements I and II are not correct
  • Statement I is correct but statement II is not correct
  • Statement I is not correct but statement II is correct
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
This question consists of two statements regarding chemical kinetics: the definition of reaction order and the physical interpretation of parameters in the Arrhenius equation.

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
We must analyze each statement based on the definitions of chemical reaction order and the Arrhenius theory:
\[ k = A e^{-E_a / RT} \]

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:

• Statement I: "Order of a reaction can be obtained from experiment and can have zero or positive integer or positive fraction values."
This statement is correct. The order of a reaction is an experimentally determined quantity. It is the sum of exponents of the concentration terms in the rate law.
The value of the order can be zero, positive, negative, integer, or fractional.

• Statement II: "In the Arrhenius equation, the frequency factor is the fraction of molecules that can have energy higher than $E_{\text{a}}$."
This statement is incorrect. In the Arrhenius equation, $k = A e^{-E_a / RT}$:
The term $e^{-E_a / RT}$ represents the Boltzmann fraction of molecules that possess kinetic energy greater than or equal to the activation energy $E_a$.
The pre-exponential factor $A$ is the frequency factor, which is related to the collision frequency and steric factor of the reacting molecules. It does not represent a fraction of molecules.

• Consequently, Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.


Step 4: Final Answer:
Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct.
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