Fahrenheit 451 and activation energy

[NeilWallace]

I know from the movie that paper burns at fahrenheit 451. I guess this refers to the activation energy paper and oxygen require to react into CO2 and water.

I have been trying to understand the Arrhenius equation which I think is the key to predicting at what temperature a reaction will take place but I don't understand what numbers you plug into predict the temperature say methane and oxygen will react CH4 and O2 can anyone help?

 

[Borek]

451 deg F is well too low to start paper burning. Not that it matters much.

Numbers you need are determined experimentally, you may be able to find them in handbooks.

 

[DaveC426913]

451 deg F is well too low to start paper burning.

Well, I guess that depends on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoignition_temperature#Autoignition_point_of_selected_substances"...

842 °F
Jens Borch, Richard E. Mark, M. Bruce Lyne. "Handbook of Physical Testing of Paper".

424-474°F
Tony Cafe. "Physical Constants for Investigators". Journal of Australian Fire Investigators.

 

[Borek]

451 °C = 844 °F

I am not saying someone made a NASA style mistake, but numbers are suggestive.

 

[PJC01]

I can provide a response to your question about Fahrenheit 451 and activation energy. Fahrenheit 451 is the temperature at which paper will burn, which is a result of the activation energy required for the reaction between paper and oxygen to occur. Activation energy is the minimum amount of energy needed for a reaction to take place. In the case of paper burning, the activation energy is provided by the heat source, such as a match or a flame.

The Arrhenius equation is a mathematical relationship that describes the effect of temperature on the rate of a reaction. It states that as temperature increases, the rate of a reaction also increases. In order to predict the temperature at which a reaction will occur, you need to know the activation energy for that specific reaction. This value can be determined through experiments or can be found in scientific literature.

In the case of methane and oxygen reacting to form carbon dioxide and water, the activation energy would depend on the specific conditions of the reaction, such as the concentration of the reactants and the presence of a catalyst. This is why it is important to have a specific value for the activation energy in order to accurately predict the temperature at which the reaction will occur.

I hope this helps to clarify the relationship between Fahrenheit 451 and activation energy, and how the Arrhenius equation can be used to predict reaction temperatures. If you have further questions, I would recommend consulting a chemistry textbook or speaking with a chemistry expert for more in-depth understanding.