Question

How does a catalyst work

Answer 1

Answer:

A catalyst is a substance which increases the rate of a reaction by taking the reaction through a different path which involves lower activation energy and thus more molecules can cross the energy barrier and convert to products.

The catalyst itself does not take part in the chemical reaction and is regenerated as such at the end.

For example:

$C_{12}H_{22}O_{11}+11H_2SO_4\rightarrow 12C+11H_2SO_4+11H_2O$

In this reaction $H_2SO_4$ acts as a catalyst.

Thus a catalyst increases the rate of reaction works by lowering the activation energy.

Answer 2

It speeds up chemical reactions