Chemistry Reaction Kinetics PMC 2021
PMDC Verified Question 42 of 80
Catalyst can:
A
Increase rate of reaction
B
Decrease rate of reaction
C
Increase conc of product
D
Increase conc of reactant
Tap any option to test your recall and reveal the step-by-step Propolis autopsy.

Propolis Cognitive Error Autopsy

Official Correct Choice:
Option A: Increase rate of reaction
Concept:

A positive catalyst is a substance introduced to a reaction system to accelerate it.

Solution:

  • The primary function of a catalyst is to increase the rate at which equilibrium is achieved by providing a lower energy pathway (decreasing \( E_a \)).
  • It achieves this without being permanently consumed in the process.


Why other options are incorrect:

While a negative catalyst (inhibitor) decreases the rate, standard usage of 'catalyst' without a prefix implies a positive catalyst. A catalyst cannot shift equilibrium, so it cannot change the final concentrations (yield) of reactants or products.

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