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How does a catalyst make a reaction go faster?
AIt raises the activation energy
BIt heats the reacting particles
CIt lowers the activation energy
DIt adds energy to each collision
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. It lowers the activation energy
1. Activation energy is the minimum energy a collision needs before a reaction can proceed.
2. At any temperature only a fraction of the particles carry that much energy.
3. A catalyst offers an alternative pathway that needs less activation energy.
4. A larger fraction of the particles now clears the lower barrier, so the rate rises.
5. The average kinetic energy of the particles is unchanged, so heating the particles is not what a catalyst does.
_Source: Siyavula Physical Sciences Grade 12 (Everything Science, CC BY 4.0), Rate and Extent of Reaction_
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