Question

A catalyst works by(1) increasing the potential energy of the reactants(2) increasing the energy released during a reaction(3) decreasing the potential energy of the products(4) decreasing the activation energy required for a reaction

Answer 1

Answer: Option (4) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

Activation energy is the minimum amount of energy required by reactant molecules to undergo a chemical reaction.

Whereas a catalyst is defined as the substance that helps in increasing the rate of reaction by decreasing the activation energy without itself getting consumed in the reaction.

When a catalyst decreases the activation energy then molecules with lesser energy become able to participate in the reaction and thus, products are obtained at a faster rate. Hence, a catalyst increases the rate of a reaction.

Thus, we can conclude that a catalyst works by decreasing the activation energy required for a reaction.

Answer 2

The catalyst (4) decreases the activation energy required for a reaction, by holding reactants in place