Question

Why do catalyst not affect equilibrium?

Answer 1

Catalyst: A catalyst is a substance that affects the rate of reaction without itself being consumed at the end of the reaction and the phenomenon is called catalysis.

The catalyst forms a complex with the reactants and provides an alternate path with a lower energy of activation for the reaction; the forward and backward reactions are affected to the same extent.

Example:

${\mathrm{N}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+3{\mathrm{H}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)\rightleftharpoons 2{\mathrm{NH}}_3\left(\mathrm{g}\right)$

Here, addition of a catalyst will not give any effect on the equilibrium reaction.

Hence, the catalyst does not affect the equilibrium.