answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

It decreases the activation energy, or the energy barrier the reactants must go through to form products. This is the same thing as the energy of the transition state.

By decreasing the activation energy necessary for the reaction to occur, more reactants are able to form products since not as much energy is needed.

See the Web Links to the left of this answer for more information.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

A catalyst lowers the activation energy for a reaction between two molecules by providing an alternative path for the reaction to happen.

This way more molecules will collide with the correct amount of energy, hence speeding up the reaction.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why does a catalyst cause a reaction to proceed faster?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

Why is an enzyme considered a catalyst?

An enzyme is referred to as a catalyst as it sets off the digestive process beginning with amylase in the mouth which is produced by the salivary glands (...and followed by all the other enzymes that are mixed with the food along the alimentary canal)


Do catalyst increase equilibrium constant?

No they do not. A catalyst is a thing (atom, molecule, element, etc.) that speeds up a chem. rxn by lowering the activation energy without being altered itself. So it only cause the reaction to occur faster, but will not have any affect on the equilibrium. Also, since the catalyst is not altered, it should 'come out' exactly as it 'went in.'


What word means A substance that can cause something to happen faster than it might have otherwise but is not permanently changed itself?

That is the definition of a catalyst.


What substances are responsible for accelerating chemical reactions in cells?

The substances which cause chemical reactions in a cell are protein catalysts called enzymes. Some cause reactions that would otherwise not occur and others speed reactions up. Carbon dioxide dissolves in water by itself but since this a dangerous substance to have in cells, there is a catalyst that dissolves it 300 times faster.


How does the presence of enzymes affect the equilibrium position of the breakdown of carbohydrate into glucose?

Enzymes cannot affect the equilibrium of a reaction, nor can they cause a thermodynamically unfavorable reaction to proceed. They are catalysts and can only alter the activation energy and therefore the rate of the reaction.

Related questions

Why does a reaction proceed faster when the reactants have greater surfaces area?

A greater the surface area will cause the reaction will proceed faster because there are more available sites where another reagent or catalyst can "attack" the reactant.


What is the effect of a catalyst on a chemical reaction?

To Cause a Chemical reaction. A properly chosen, specific catalyst is able to speed up the rate of a particular chemical reaction.


Why is an enzyme considered a catalyst?

An enzyme is referred to as a catalyst as it sets off the digestive process beginning with amylase in the mouth which is produced by the salivary glands (...and followed by all the other enzymes that are mixed with the food along the alimentary canal)


What element can cause a molecule to move faster?

If you mean something else, like- What can speed up a chemical reaction, that would be a catalyst. Or, you could say heat, though that is not an element.


Do catalyst increase equilibrium constant?

No they do not. A catalyst is a thing (atom, molecule, element, etc.) that speeds up a chem. rxn by lowering the activation energy without being altered itself. So it only cause the reaction to occur faster, but will not have any affect on the equilibrium. Also, since the catalyst is not altered, it should 'come out' exactly as it 'went in.'


How does a catalyst change the rate of a chemical reaction?

Lowers the activation energy of a reaction, therefore speeding the reaction up.Catalysts speed up chemical reactions. They do not change the products or reactants of the reaction, and are not used up or consumed in the reaction. Biological catalysts are called enzymes. Catalysts lower the activation energy (or energy needed to start a reaction), and cause the reaction to occur more quickly.


What does trotting mean?

(with reference to a horse or other quadruped) proceed or cause to proceed at a pace faster than a walk, lifting each diagonal pair of legs alternately


What word means A substance that can cause something to happen faster than it might have otherwise but is not permanently changed itself?

That is the definition of a catalyst.


Define the term catalyze?

A catalyst is something that provides an alternative route for a reaction to occur, either by allowing the reaction to occur at a different transition state or by changing the activation energy, and the catalyst itself does not undergo any chemical change during the reaction (materials that do undergo chemical changes are not classified as catalysts, and it gets murkier when you ask about physical changes, i believe there is an iron based material that acts like a catalyst but undergoes a physical change) Alternatively, catalyst can mean an event or a person that produces progress (whether positive or negative), e.g. when someone says 'his appointment was the catalyst for the company's success)


What substances are responsible for accelerating chemical reactions in cells?

The substances which cause chemical reactions in a cell are protein catalysts called enzymes. Some cause reactions that would otherwise not occur and others speed reactions up. Carbon dioxide dissolves in water by itself but since this a dangerous substance to have in cells, there is a catalyst that dissolves it 300 times faster.


What are two variables that would cause a chemical reaction to have a fast reaction rate?

Increased concentration, increased temperature, and a catalyst will all increase reaction rates relative to what they normally are. Some reactions however will still be slow even with the change in these variables.


How does the presence of enzymes affect the equilibrium position of the breakdown of carbohydrate into glucose?

Enzymes cannot affect the equilibrium of a reaction, nor can they cause a thermodynamically unfavorable reaction to proceed. They are catalysts and can only alter the activation energy and therefore the rate of the reaction.