What happens to the equilibrium position when a catalyst is added to a reaction

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Question: What happens to the equilibrium position when a catalyst is added to a reaction at equilibrium? (2023)

Options:

Correct Answer: No change

Exam Year: 2023

Solution:

A catalyst speeds up both the forward and reverse reactions equally, thus it does not change the position of equilibrium or the value of Kc.

What happens to the equilibrium position when a catalyst is added to a reaction at equilibrium? (2023)

What happens to the equilibrium position when a catalyst is added to a reaction at equilibrium? (2023)

Step 1: Understand what equilibrium means in a chemical reaction. It is the point where the rate of the forward reaction equals the rate of the reverse reaction.
Step 2: Know what a catalyst does. A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.
Step 3: Realize that when a catalyst is added to a reaction at equilibrium, it speeds up both the forward and reverse reactions equally.
Step 4: Since both reactions are sped up equally, the ratio of products to reactants remains the same.
Step 5: Conclude that the position of equilibrium does not change when a catalyst is added, and the equilibrium constant (Kc) remains the same.

Catalysts and Equilibrium – A catalyst increases the rate of both the forward and reverse reactions equally, leaving the position of equilibrium unchanged.