Which of the following statements best describes the purpose of a catalyst in a chemical reaction?
A) The purpose of a catalyst is to speed up the rate of the reaction.
B) The purpose of a catalyst is to lower the energy of the reactants.
C) The purpose of a catalyst is to slow down the rate of the reaction.
D) The purpose of a catalyst is to lower the energy of the products.
E) The purpose of a catalyst is to increase the activation energy of the reaction.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A catalyst works by providing an alternative pathway for the reaction that has a lower activation energy. This lowers the energy barrier for the reaction and leads to a faster rate of reaction.

Which of the Following Statements Best Describes the Purpose of a Catalyst