The kinetic behavior of systems in which processes occur which are distributed over a range of activation energies is considered. The effects produced by the initial distribution, the order of reaction, and the frequency factor are discussed. Imaginary and actual experimental situations are used to illustrate the large errors which can result when the distribution of the processes in activation energy is neglected. Some of the complications which can result from successive reactions and varying frequency factors are mentioned.

• Received 18 November 1954

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.100.1677