Concept:
The Arrhenius equation links how fast a reaction goes (its rate constant k) to temperature. Each symbol in the equation \( k = A\,e^{-E_a/RT} \) stands for a specific quantity.
Step 1: Here A is the frequency (pre-exponential) factor, R is the universal gas constant, and T is the absolute temperature.
Step 2: The term Ea in the exponent is the activation energy — the minimum energy the reacting molecules must have for the reaction to occur. A larger Ea means the reaction is more sensitive to temperature and generally slower.
Why the others are wrong: The frequency factor is A, the universal gas constant is R, and the order of the reaction does not appear in this equation at all. Only Ea is the activation energy.
Answer: Option (2) — Activation energy of the reaction.