Arrhenius Rule of Thumb (Reaction Rate vs Temperature)

Estimates how reaction kinetics speed up with temperature. Many reaction rates roughly double for every 10 degrees Celsius (18 degrees Fahrenheit) rise. This is the kinetic half of the oxygen temperature paradox.

$$\text{Rate}(T+10^{\circ }\mathrm{C})\approx 2\times \text{Rate}(T)$$

Variables

Symbol	Meaning	Unit
T	absolute or operating temperature	degrees Celsius
Rate	reaction rate at a given temperature	relative (dimensionless)

Worked example

Raising water temperature by 10 degrees Celsius roughly doubles the corrosion reaction rate even though the dissolved oxygen present is lower.

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Part of The Blueprint of Water