Which definition best describes the term activation energy?

the minimum net kinetic energy that colliding particles must possess in order to react

the energy required to separate the ions in a crystalline solid

the energy a compound possesses by virtue of its chemical bonds and their orientation

the amount of energy absorbed or released when a chemical reaction takes place

Answer: the minimum net kinetic energy that colliding particles must possess in order to react

Explanation:

Activation energy can be represented as the difference between the energy of reactants and the energy of the activated complex. Activation energy is the extra energy that must be supplied to reactants in order to cross the energy barrier and thus convert to products.

The energy required to separate the ions in a crystalline solid is called as lattice energy.

The energy a compound possesses by virtue of its chemical bonds and their orientation is called as chemical energy.

The amount of energy absorbed or released when a chemical reaction takes place is called as enthalpy.