Catalysts Flashcards
What are catalysts?
They increase the rate of reaction by providing an alternative pathway with a lower activation energy
They are chemically unchanged at the end of the reaction.
Why do catalysts only work on one reaction?
They have a specific active site which is only complimentary to the shape of the substrate of that specific reaction
What is the equation of the haber process?
N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) -> 2NH3
Why does the haber process reaction have a very high activation energy?
There is a very strong triple N-N bond
What are the conditions for the Haber process?
around 400-500 degrees celcius
around 20 mPa
iron catalysts
How does the catalyst work in the Haber process?
The hydrogen and nitrogen molecules bind to the surface of the catalyst, making it easier for the bonds to break at lower energies and so the activation energy of the reaction is lowered
How do catalysts work in Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution?
Lowering the activation energy means that more particles have the activation energy required to react when they collide.
How do catalysts alter the Maxwell-Boltzmann graph?
They move the activation energy left of the original activation energy.
