THE COMPENSATION EFFECT REVISITED

It is generally accepted that the compensation effect arises when a li near relation between ln A and E is detected for a simple reaction tak ing place over different catalysts or for different reactions over one catalyst. For a perfect linear relation between ln A and E representa tion of the reaction rate constant in an Arrhenius plot results in a s eries of straight lines which intersect in a single point. The importa nce is stressed of defining unambiguously what is meant by the compens ation effect, and it is shown how the scatter in the values of ln A is translated into Arrhenius plots.