Question

A catalyst
(IIT-JEE, 1984)

• A. Increases the average kinetic energy fo the reacting molecules.
• B. Decreases the activation energy
• C. Alters the reaction mechanism
• D. Increases the frequency of the collisions of the reacting species

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (C)

The correct options are
B

Decreases the activation energy

C

Alters the reaction mechanism

A catalyst provides an alternative path for the reaction occurring via a different activation state.

A positive catalyst decreases the activation energy of a reaction, so that more number of molecules are able to cross the activation energy barrier and so the rate of the reaction is increased.

A negative catalyst increases the activation energy of a reaction so that lesser number of molecules are able to cross the activation energy barrier and so the rate of the reaction is decreased.