What is the main characteristic of a catalyst in surface chemistry?

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Q: What is the main characteristic of a catalyst in surface chemistry?

Solution: A catalyst provides an alternative reaction pathway, which lowers the activation energy and increases the reaction rate.

Steps: 5

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.