Catalysts

• What is the definition of a catalyst?

  Catalysts increase the rate of chemical reactions but are not used up during the reaction.
• How do catalysts affect the rate of chemical reactions?

  Catalysts increase the rate by providing a pathway with lower activation energy.
• What is the role of collision theory in chemical reactions?

  • Reactions occur when reacting particles collide
  • Collisions must have sufficient energy
  • Rate of reaction is determined by frequency of successful collisions
• What is activation energy?

  Activation energy is the minimum amount of energy that the particles must have in order to react.
• How do catalysts save money in chemical reactions?

  • Allow reactions to occur quickly
  • Reduce the need to increase temperature
  • Can be reused multiple times
• Why are catalysts not included in the chemical equation for a reaction?

  Because they are not used up in the reaction.
• What is a key characteristic of different catalysts?

  • Different reactions require different catalysts
• What role do enzymes play in relation to catalysts?

  Enzymes act as catalysts in living organisms.
• What happens to the energy required for particles to react when a catalyst is present?

  • Less energy is required to cross the activation energy barrier
  • More particles can collide successfully per second