answersLogoWhite

0

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)

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

What else can I help you with?