What role does the activation energy play in chemical reactions?

The activation energy is the minimum amount of energy that particles must have in order for them to participate in a chemical reaction. During chemical reactions bonds are broken and formed. Particles must collide with sufficient energy in order for the initial bonds to be broken. The activation energy is that that initial minimum energy that the particles can have in order for the bonds to be broken. Stronger bonds would require more energy to be broken and therefore the activation energy for such would be higher.

In a chemical reaction, there is a minimum amount of barrier or energy which must be overcome before the chemical reaction can take place. This minimum energy, required to bring about a chemical reaction is called activation energy. Thus, activation energy is the energy that the reactants must absorb in order for a chemical reaction to occur.