Explain the role of a catalyst in altering the rate of a reaction. (2 marks)
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→ A catalyst increases the rate of a reaction by providing an alternate reaction pathway with a lower activation energy \((\text{E}_{a})\), and does not undergo any permanent chemical change in this process.
→ This means the threshold kinetic energy \((\text{E}_{a})\) for a successful collision between particles is lowered.
→ This leads to more successful collisions and an increase in reaction rate.
→ A catalyst increases the rate of a reaction by providing an alternate reaction pathway with a lower activation energy \((\text{E}_{a})\), and does not undergo any permanent chemical change in this process.
→ This means the threshold kinetic energy \((\text{E}_{a})\) for a successful collision between particles is lowered.
→ This leads to more successful collisions and an increase in reaction rate.