Question

How does a catalyst increase the rate of a reaction?

Answer 1

Catalyst:

• A catalyst increases the rate of reaction by lowering the activation energy.
• A catalyst increases the rate of reaction in both forward and backward directions by providing an alternate pathway with lower activation energy.
• If the activation energy is reduced, more reactants can cross the energy barrier easily. So, the rate of reaction increases.

Therefore, catalysts increase the rate of reaction by lowering the activation energy.