Multiple Choice
Which term describes a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process?
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15. Chemical Kinetics
Catalyst
Multiple Choice
A catalyst increases the rate of a chemical reaction by:
A
lowering the activation energy required for the reaction
B
raising the temperature of the reaction mixture
C
providing additional reactants to the system
D
increasing the equilibrium constant of the reaction
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the role of a catalyst in a chemical reaction: a catalyst provides an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy, which increases the reaction rate without being consumed in the process.
Recall that activation energy is the minimum energy required for reactants to transform into products; lowering this energy barrier allows more molecules to react at a given temperature.
Recognize that a catalyst does not change the temperature of the reaction mixture; temperature is an external condition that affects reaction rate independently.
Note that a catalyst does not add reactants to the system; it only affects how quickly the existing reactants convert to products.
Understand that a catalyst does not change the equilibrium constant of the reaction; it speeds up the rate at which equilibrium is reached but does not alter the position of equilibrium.
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