Final answer:
Catalysts increase the rate of chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy, which allows more reactant molecules to collide effectively and react, without the catalyst being consumed in the reaction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best explanation of how catalysts are used in chemical reactions is that catalysts lower the activation energy for a chemical reaction to start. By providing an alternate route with lower activation energy for a reaction, catalysts increase the rate at which the reaction can occur without being consumed in the process. Since activation energy is like the initial push needed to start a reaction, akin to a push needed to start going down a playground slide, with the catalyst providing a 'gentler slope', more reactant molecules are able to collide effectively and react, speeding up the reaction.