Question

A chemist has two compounds that do not chemically react. He thinks that by finding the right catalyst, he can get them to react. Why is the chemist incorrect?

Answer 1

Answer:

The chemist is incorrect because a catalyst increases the rate of reaction only.

Explanation:

A catalyst is a substance in the presence of which the speed of the reaction increases. It plays no role in the chemical change taking place.

Thus, if the two compounds are not chemically reacting, a catalyst wont make it happen either.

A chemical reaction occurs when atoms tend to lose or gain electrons. A catalyst has no role to play in this process.

Answer 2

Explanation:

A catalyst is a substance which helps in increasing the rate of a chemical reaction without itself getting consumed in the reaction.

So, when two compounds are not able to react chemically then adding a catalyst will not be able to make them react chemically with each other.

This is because a catalyst can only be of use if it is added in a reaction where the species are chemically reacting with each other. Making compounds to react chemically is not a function of catalyst.

That is why, the chemist incorrect in the given situation.