catalysts

• What do catalysts do to the rate of chemical reactions?

  They increase the rate by lowering activation energy
• How do catalysts lower activation energy?

  By providing a different reaction pathway
• Do catalysts alter the products of a reaction?

  No, they do not alter the products
• What happens to catalysts during chemical reactions?

  They are not used up during reactions
• What does it mean that catalysts can be reused indefinitely?

  They can be used multiple times without loss
• Why are catalysts not found in chemical equations?

  Because they are not consumed in reactions
• What is a drawback of using catalysts?

  They often need cleaning or regenerating
• What are enzymes in relation to catalysts?

  Enzymes are biological catalysts
• Where can enzymes be found?

  In washing powders and yeast
• Why do catalysts often come as powders, pellets, or fine gauzes?

  Because they have high surface areas
• Why are catalysts popular in industry?

  They speed up reactions and save energy
• What is an advantage of using expensive catalysts like platinum?

  They can speed up reactions significantly
• How do catalysts reduce the burning of fossil fuels?

  By lowering necessary temperatures and pressures
• What is a disadvantage of many catalysts?

  Many are toxic and can contaminate ecosystems