Thermal Activation

Thermal activation refers to the process where increasing temperature provides energy that helps particles overcome energy barriers or obstacles. Imagine molecules in a material needing a certain amount of energy to change their state or move past a restriction—thermal energy supplied by heat increases their chances of doing so. This concept explains phenomena like how materials soften when heated or how chemical reactions accelerate with temperature. Essentially, thermal activation is the boost that thermal energy gives particles, enabling them to undergo transformations or transitions that would be unlikely at lower temperatures.