What happens to the equilibrium position when a catalyst is added to a reaction
Practice Questions
Q1
What happens to the equilibrium position when a catalyst is added to a reaction at equilibrium? (2023)
Shifts to the right
Shifts to the left
No change
Increases Kc
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
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.
