C5.2.5 - Catalysts and reaction rate Flashcards
1
Q
What is a catalyst?
A
A substance that increases the rate of reaction, without being used up, by lowering the activation energy needed
2
Q
What does it mean to catalyse a reaction?
A
To speed up a reaction using a catalyst
3
Q
What substances do catalytic converters use?
A
platinum, rhodium, palladium
4
Q
What are biological catalysts?
A
Enzymes (which are proteins) that act as catalysts in biological systems
5
Q
How do catalysts work?
A
They provide an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy
6
Q
In the presence of a catalyst in a reaction:
A
- a greater proportion of the colliding particles have the activation energy or more
- the rate of successful collisions increases compared to the rate in an uncatalysed reaction
