Question

Which of the following explains the effect of a catalyst on the rate of a reversible reaction?

• A. It provides a new reaction pathway with a lower activation energy.
• B. It moves the equilibrium position to the right.
• C. It increases the kinetic energy of the reacting molecules.
• D. It decreases the rate of the reverse reaction.

Answer 1

The correct option is A It provides a new reaction pathway with a lower activation energy.

A catalyst is a substance which acclerates the rate of a chemical reaction without undergoing any change in its chemical composition or mass during the reaction. A catalyst acclerates the rate of a reaction by lowering the activation energy as it provides alternate pathway for the reaction.

Also, it increases the backward and forward reactions with the same extent.

Due to this lower activation energy, equilibrium is attained faster.