chemistry / Reactions / free
Catalysis
Open a lower-energy pathway and watch a reaction speed up without being consumed.
Follow the cause1 / 3
A catalyst binds or organizes. The catalyst creates an alternative sequence of elementary steps.
activation pathwaypathway · Ea 41 / 86
Focus the idea
uncatalyzed Ea86
catalyzed Ea41
barrier drop46
endpointssame
The catalyst supplies a lower activation pathway. Raising temperature also increases the fraction of molecules able to cross the barrier.
The energy diagram compares relative pathways. A catalyst is not a fuel and is not consumed overall, though it can participate in intermediate steps.
04 / PRACTICE
0 / 3 checkedMake the chemistry yours.
Answer from the model, then use the explanation to connect the particle picture to the chemical rule.
CHECK 1 / 3