: the minimum amount of energy required to convert a normal stable molecule into a reactive molecule
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebWhat all of these examples have in common is that the former require less activation energy—the initial self-discipline and oomph to start something—and feel good immediately but crappy later on. Brad Stulberg, Outside Online, 24 May 2022 If the activation energy is too high, the reaction does not occur. Svenja Lohner, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2016 Just about everything in my life—from getting out of bed to exercising to writing to coaching to reading—required a significant amount of activation energy. Brad Stulberg, Time, 20 Sep. 2021 The problem, of course, is that authoring statements requires little activation energy (often little more than a Slack message to a Black employee, asking for input), and no energy at all once the statement has been issued. C. Brandon Ogbunu, Wired, 25 May 2021 These create the activation energy required for a high explosive to react. Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 19 Feb. 2020 Finding the activation energy to get out there can be tough with the various barriers to entry. Michelle Li, Teen Vogue, 18 July 2019 See More
Word History
First Known Use
1924, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
activation energy
noun
ac·ti·va·tion energy ˌak-tə-ˈvā-shən-
: the minimum amount of energy required to convert a normal stable molecule into a reactive molecule