What are catalysts and how do they function?

Answer 1

A catalyst starts a reaction. cat·a·lyst Audio Help /ˈkætlɪst/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[kat-l-ist] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation -noun 1. Chemistry. a substance that causes or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected. 2. something that causes activity between two or more persons or forces without itself being affected. 3. a person or thing that precipitates an event or change: His imprisonment by the government served as the catalyst that helped transform social unrest into revolution. 4. a person whose talk, enthusiasm, or energy causes others to be more friendly, enthusiastic, or energetic.

Answer 2

Catalysts are substances that can alter (but generally increase) the rate of a chemical reaction.

catalyst decreases the activation energy of a chemical reaction, thereby increasing the effective collision and hence the rate of the chemical reaction

Answer 3

A catalyst is a substance which changes the rate of a chemical reaction, without being used up.

It does nothing to the overall energy of the reaction.

However, it works by lowering the activation energy, the amount of energy needed to break chemical bonds in the reactants so that new ones may be formed.

Answer 4

A catalyst is something that speeds up a reaction, without being changed or used up in process.

Answer 5

A catalyst is a substance added to increase the reaction rate in chemistry; the catalyst is not a reactant or product. Also the activation energy of the chemical reaction is lowered.