Question

A catalyst can increase the rate of a reaction ________. Select one: a. by increasing the overall activation energy (Ea) of the reaction b. by providing an alternative pathway with a lower activation energy c. by lowering the activation energy of the reverse reaction d. by changing the value of the frequency factor (A) e. All of these are ways that a catalyst might act to increase the rate of reaction.

Answer 1

Answer:

by providing an alternative pathway with a lower activation energy

Explanation:

Cataysts are the substances that neither consumed nor produced during a chemical reaction, but increase the rate of the reaction.

So, catalysts remain chemically unchnaged after the completion of the reaction.

For a reaction to occur, reactants molecule must collide and successful collisions lead to product formation.

A certain minimum amount of energy is required for successful collision. This minimum amounr of energy is called activation energy.

One way to increase speed of reaction is to provide energy to the reactants  and other way to increase speed is to provide alternate pathway with lower activation energy.

Catalyst increases a rate of reaction by providing an alternate pathway with lower activation energy.

Therefore, the correct option is option b 'by providing an alternative pathway with a lower activation energy'