C2 - Catalysts

Question 1

What is a Catalyst?

Answer 1

A chemical that speeds up the rate of a reaction

Question 2

What is a Catalytic converter?

Answer 2

A vehicular module that reduces the amount of carbon monoxide and unburned fuel that are emitted from the exhaust pipe

Question 3

Describe the structure of a Catalytic converter

Answer 3

It is made from Platinum, Rhobidium and Palladium that is spread in a thin layer over a honeycomb ceramic structure to give a large surface area

Question 4

Why does the structure of the Catalytic converter make it suitable for its job?

Answer 4

It increases the number of reactions that are catalyzed per second

This means that there is a quicker rate of reaction - thus converting the harmful gases into harmless gases quicker

Question 5

What is the problem with Catalytic converters?

Answer 5

They only work well at high temperatures

Question 6

What are the two most important reactions that take place inside a Catalytic converter?

Answer 6

Carbon Monoxide + Oxygen = Carbon Dioxide

Hydrocarbons + Oxygen = Carbon dioxide and water vapour