A catalyst may be defined as:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a reaction without being consumed. This is achieved by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to proceed, without affecting the overall energy balance of the reaction. Option A is incorrect as a catalyst does not increase the order of a reaction. Option B is incorrect as a catalyst lowers the energy of activation, not increases it. Option C is incorrect as a catalyst does not increase the temperature of a reaction, although it may function better at higher temperatures.

A Catalyst May Be Defined As