The Arrhenius equation is a mathematical formula that describes how the rate of a chemical reaction depends on temperature. It shows that as temperature increases, the reaction rate typically increases as well. The equation is expressed as k = A e^-\frac{E_aRT} , where k is the rate constant, A is the pre-exponential factor, E_a is the activation energy, R is the universal gas constant, and T is the temperature in Kelvin. This equation was developed by Swedish chemist Svante Arrhenius in the late 19th century. It helps scientists understand and predict how different conditions affect reaction speeds, which is crucial in fields like chemistry, biochemistry, and engineering. By using the Arrhenius equation, researchers can optimize processes such as catalysis and industrial reactions.