Imagine a chemical reaction during which a solution turns from red to green very slowly. If a small piece of platinum is placed in the solution, the change occurs much more rapidly, yet the platinum remains unchanged. Which of the following best explains this experimental result?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that the platinum remains unchanged suggests that it is not directly involved in the reaction, but rather is functioning as a catalyst. Catalysts increase the rate of a reaction by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur, without being consumed themselves.

Imagine a Chemical Reaction During Which a Solution Turns from Red