Question

Answer the following in brief.

Explain graphically the effect of a catalyst on the rate of reaction.

Answer 1

i. Diagram:

Comparison of fraction of molecules for catalyzed and uncatalyzed reactions

ii. A catalyst lowers the threshold energy.

iii. Consequently, more molecules acquire the minimum amount of energy and tend to cross the energy barrier.

iv. A fraction of activated molecules is greater for the catalyzed reaction. The rate of catalysed reaction thus is larger than the reaction with no catalyst.