activate vs turn on

activate

verb
  • To put a device, mechanism (alarm etc.) or system into action or motion; to trigger, to actuate, to set off, to enable. 

  • To organize or create a military unit or station. 

  • To bring a player back after an injury. 

  • To render a substance radioactive. 

  • To hasten a chemical reaction, especially by heating. 

  • To render more reactive; excite. 

  • To remove the limitations of demoware by providing a license; to unlock. 

  • To render a molecule reactive, active, or effective in performing its function. 

  • To encourage development or induce increased activity; to stimulate. 

  • To aerate in order to aid decomposition of organic matter. 

turn on

verb
  • To power up, to put into operation, to start, to activate (an appliance, light, mechanism, functionality etc.). 

  • To aim at. 

  • To depend upon; to pivot around, to have as a central subject. 

  • To fill with enthusiasm; to intoxicate, give pleasure to ( + to an object of interest or excitement). 

  • To start operating; to power up, to become on. 

  • To take drugs. 

  • To cause to take up drugs, especially hallucinogens. 

  • To set a flow of fluid or gas running by rotating a tap or valve. 

  • To violently rebel against; to suddenly attack. 

  • To sexually arouse. 

How often have the words activate and turn on occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )