Question

The linear rate constants for dry and wet oxidation have very similar activation energies, but the parabolic rate constants have notably different activation energies for dry vs. wet. Explain why this is not necessarily surprising.

Answer 1

Both rate constants follow the arhineous equation. The activation energy of linear rate constants depending upon various factors including temperature and same for both wet and dry oxidation. But the activation energy of wet oxidation is lower than for dry oxidation. In case of linear rate constants the growth is limited by reaction rate. While in case of parabolic rate constants. reaction is limited by diffusion mass transport due to which initial growth of oxodatoxi increases