Question

Which one of the following statements regarding catalysis is true ?
A. A catalyst alters the position of equilibrium.
B. A catalyst speeds up the reaction by providing an altrnative path of lower activation energy
C. A catalyst speeds up the reaction by decreasing the frequency factor
D. A catalyst speed up the reaction by providing an altranative path of higher activation energy

Answer 1

Correct Answer - B
Catalyst does not change the equilibrium constant of a reverible reaction, rather it helps in attaining th equilibrium faster because it catalyes the forward as well as the backward reactions to the same exent so that the equilibrium state remains the same but is attaned earlier.
A Small amount of hte catayst is needd because a catalst does not take part in the overall reaction, but all of it is reformed in later steps. Thus, a catalyst does not appear in the balanced equation for the reaction.