The minimum amount of energy that is needed to start a chemical reaction is called

The minimum amount of energy needed to start a chemical reaction is called the activation energy. This is the energy barrier that reactants must overcome for the reaction to proceed. Activation energy is crucial in determining the rate of a chemical reaction; higher activation energy typically means a slower reaction at a given temperature, while lower activation energy allows the reaction to proceed more quickly.

In practical terms, activation energy can often be overcome by increasing the temperature or using a catalyst, which provides an alternative pathway for the reaction that requires less energy. Understanding activation energy is essential for the fields of chemistry and chemical engineering, particularly when it comes to optimizing reaction conditions for efficient product formation.