Abstract There is adivergencein the definition of activation energy in collision theory and three definitions are found in various Chinese textbooks of general chemistry. Application of kinetic theory of gases and collision activation hypothesis are summarized as two basic elements of collision theory according to historicaldevelopment of collision theory. These three definitions are compared by evaluatingwhether they are consistent with the two basic element. It is found the Lewis' explanation to activation energy was too rough and with some errors in expression and deduction. In addition, it adapted irradiation hypothesis and objected to collision hypothesis. The Tolman's explanation only introduced statistical treatment without any introduction of kinetic theory of gases, which was not in the framework of collision theory. The minimum energy of effective collision from simple collision theory would be a more suitable definition of activation energy presenting the two basic elements of collision theory.
ZHENG Chao. A Historical Analysis on the Definition of Activation Energy in Collision Theory[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Education, 2020, 41(22): 12-16.
