Catalysts (Edexcel GCSE Chemistry)

Catalysts

• Catalysts are substances which speed up the rate of a reaction without themselves being altered or consumed in the reaction

• The mass of a catalyst at the beginning and end of a reaction is the same and they do not form part of the equation

• Normally only small amounts of catalysts are needed to have an effect on a reaction

• Different processes require different types of catalysts but they all work on the same principle of providing an alternate route for the reaction to occur

• They do this by lowering the activation energy required, hence providing a reaction pathway requiring less energy

• Catalysis is a very important  branch of chemistry in commercial terms as catalysts increase the rate of reaction (hence the production rate) and they reduce energy costs

A catalyst lowers the activation energy of a reaction by providing an alternative reaction pathway