What is the main characteristic of a catalyst in surface chemistry?
Correct Answer: A catalyst provides an alternative reaction pathway, which lowers the activation energy and increases the reaction rate.
- Step 1: Understand what a catalyst is. A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.
- Step 2: Learn about activation energy. Activation energy is the energy needed for a reaction to occur.
- Step 3: Know that a catalyst provides an alternative reaction pathway. This means it offers a different way for the reaction to happen.
- Step 4: Realize that this alternative pathway requires less energy (lower activation energy) than the original pathway.
- Step 5: Understand that by lowering the activation energy, the catalyst increases the reaction rate, meaning the reaction happens faster.
No concepts available.
