What is the Arrhenius equation and what does it represent?

The Arrhenius equation describes how rate constant varies with temperature: k = A*exp(-Ea/RT), where A is the pre-exponential factor (frequency factor), Ea is activation energy, R is gas constant, and T is absolute temperature. It shows that rate constant increases exponentially with temperature. Activation energy represents the minimum energy barrier that reactant molecules must overcome to form products. Higher Ea means stronger temperature dependence.