Catalysts

 

What are catalysts?

A catalyst helps a chemical reaction to happen faster, but it does not get used up or changed by the reaction.

Different reactions need different catalysts. A catalyst that works well for one reaction may not work at all for another reaction. Catalysts are specific to the reactions they speed up.

 

What are enzymes?

Enzymes are special kinds of catalysts that work in living cells.

Enzymes are catalysts that help biological reactions, such as digestion, to happen faster.

 

🧪 Knowledge Check: Catalysts

Test your understanding of catalysts and how they affect chemical reactions based on the lesson guide.

1. What is the primary function of a catalyst in a chemical reaction?

• To increase the temperature of the reactants.
• To speed up the reaction without being used up.
• To increase the amount of product formed.

2. How does a catalyst physically change the reaction pathway?

• It lowers the activation energy required.
• It increases the activation energy required.
• It removes the need for activation energy entirely.

3. What are catalysts found in living organisms called?

• Transition metals
• Substrates
• Enzymes

4. Which of these is an example of an industrial process that uses iron as a catalyst?

• The Haber process (making ammonia)
• Photosynthesis
• The production of plastic

5. Which group of elements on the Periodic Table are frequently used as catalysts?

• Noble gases
• Transition metals
• Alkali metals

Click to Reveal Answers

1. To speed up the reaction without being used up (A catalyst remains unchanged at the end).
2. It lowers the activation energy required (This allows more particles to react at a given temperature).
3. Enzymes (These are biological catalysts made of protein).
4. The Haber process (Iron helps nitrogen and hydrogen react to form ammonia).
5. Transition metals (Metals like iron, platinum, and nickel are common catalysts).

 

Summary:

 

• A chemical reaction can happen faster with the help of a substance called a catalyst.
• The catalyst does not get used up or changed by the reaction. It stays the same after the reaction.
• Some catalysts are enzymes, which are special molecules that work inside living cells.