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Catalysts increase the rate of reaction by providing an alternative pathway for the reaction to occur. They do not get used up in the reaction.
A catalyst is a substance which increases the rate of reaction by providing an alternative reaction pathway for the reaction to occur. This is done by decreasing the activation energy, so more particles have at least the minimum energy required to collide, leading to a reaction. This is represented in the reaction profile below.
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Some important points about catalysts:
Catalyst | Reaction |
| Manganese () oxide () | Speeds up the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. |
| Nickel () | Hydrogenation of unsaturated hydrocarbons. |
To identify whether a substance is a catalyst or not you can run a reaction without this substance and measure the rate of reaction. Then, add this potential catalyst and run the experiment again. Measure the rate of reaction again and if it increases then it is likely that the substance is a catalyst.
Enzymes are biological catalysts. They speed up biochemical reactions in living organisms. Enzymes are involved in processes such as respiration and photosynthesis. Enzymes are also involved in fermentation, where enzymes from yeast cells are used to make alcoholic beverages. The enzymes catalyse the reaction of sugars to form ethanol and carbon dioxide.
Enzyme | Reaction |
| Lactase | Breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose. |
| Catalase | Breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. |
Enzymes are biological catalysts. They speed up biochemical reactions in living organisms.
Catalysts do not get used up during the reaction.
A catalyst is a substance which increases the rate of reaction by providing an alternative reaction pathway for the reaction to occur.
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