Students under the supervision of a faculty member can collect data and fit the data to the theoretical mathematical model that describes the rate of isothermal seed germination. The best‐fit parameters are interpreted as an initial substrate concentration, product concentration, and the autocatalytic reaction rate. The thermodynamic model enables one to calculate the activation energy for the substrate and product, the activation energy for the autocatalytic reaction, and changes in enthalpy, entropy, and the Gibb’s free energy. Turnip, lettuce, soybean, and radish seeds have been investigated. All data fit the proposed model.
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© 1982 American Association of Physics Teachers.
1982
American Association of Physics Teachers
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