In chemistry, a catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemicalchange. This means that catalysts remain unchanged at the end of the reaction, allowing them to be used repeatedly.
Key Concepts
Activation Energy: Catalysts lower the activation energy required for a reaction to occur, making the reaction happen more quickly.
Types of Catalysts: Catalysts can be classified as homogeneous (in the same phase as the reactants) or heterogeneous (in a different phase from the reactants).
Enzyme Catalysis: Biological catalysts called enzymes play a crucial role in catalyzing biochemical reactions in living organisms.
Catalytic Converters: In industrial and environmental applications, catalysts are used in devices like catalytic converters to facilitate the conversion of harmful pollutants into less harmful substances.
Study Guide
To understand catalysts in chemistry, it's important to focus on the following key points:
Define the term "catalyst" and explain its role in a chemical reaction.
Discuss the concept of activation energy and how catalysts influence it.
Explore the different types of catalysts and provide examples of each type.
Use mathematical representations to analyze the proportion and quantity of particles in solution.
Equilibrium
Analyze and interpret data to explain the change in concentration of products and reactants, and the stable state achieved under reversible conditions.