Question

Why do catalysts allow chemical reactions to take place at 0 degrees celsius?

Answer 1

Catalysts provide an alternate reaction pathway with a lower activation energy, enabling reactions to occur at lower temperatures such as 0 degrees Celsius. They are especially important in biological systems where enzymes, the biological catalysts, enable necessary reactions to occur at normal body temperatures.

Step-by-step explanation:

A catalyst allows chemical reactions to take place at low temperatures, like 0 degrees Celsius, by providing an alternative route for the reaction that has a lower activation energy. This is crucial because it means the reactants do not need as much energy to start the reaction as they would without a catalyst. Enzymes are biological catalysts that facilitate reactions in living organisms under conditions that would otherwise be too mild, like normal body temperatures, to proceed at a significant rate.

In general, increasing temperature raises reaction rates, but this can be detrimental to biological organisms by potentially damaging cells or denaturing proteins. Catalysts help to avoid these issues by allowing reactions to proceed at a faster rate without the need for high temperatures. This principle has applications in food preservation, medical procedures, and industrial processes, where managing reaction rates is essential.

Answer 2

Catalysts allow chemical reactions to occur at 0 degrees Celsius by lowering the activation energy and providing an alternate pathway. They are used in living organisms and practical applications like food storage.

Step-by-step explanation:

Catalysts allow chemical reactions to take place at 0 degrees Celsius by increasing the rate of the reaction. They achieve this by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur. At lower temperatures, the rate of reaction is usually slower, but the catalyst provides an alternate pathway for the reaction to proceed with a lower activation energy, allowing the reaction to occur even at 0 degrees Celsius.

Enzymes, which are catalysts in living organisms, regulate chemical reactions that occur at physiological conditions of pH and body temperature. Catalysts can also be used in practical applications, such as storing foods in refrigerators at lower temperatures to decrease the rate of reactions and prolong the shelf life of the food.

Therefore, catalysts play a crucial role in enabling chemical reactions to occur at low temperatures, including 0 degrees Celsius.