Help with Activation Energy and Catalysts
Organic Chemistry · Learn by Concept
Help Questions
Organic Chemistry › Help with Activation Energy and Catalysts
1 - 1
1
With what mechanism do catalysts speed up a reaction?
They lower the activation energy of the reaction.
CORRECT
They raise the activation energy of the reaction.
They increase the of the reaction.
They lower the of the reaction.
Explanation
Regarding chemical reactions, the activation energy is the minimum energy which must be available in a chemical system in order for reactants to participate in a chemical reaction. Catalysts speed up reactions by lowering this minimum energy. Raising it would have the opposite effect. Catalysts do not alter the of a reaction. Remember this--it is a common error to make!