Question

In a chemical reaction at constant temperature, the addition of a catalyst:_______a. increases the value of the equilibrium constant.b. increases the fraction of molecules with more than a given kinetic energy.c. decreases the energy released in the chemical reaction.d. provides an alternative reaction mechanism with a lower activation energy.e. increases the rate at which the molecules collide with one another.

Answer 1

Option D: provides an alternative reaction mechanism with a lower activation energy

Step-by-step explanation:

Sometimes, chemical reaction takes place at quite a high temperature and pressure and thus the rate will be very slow. Now, when this happens, we need to make use of a chemical compound known as a catalyst in order to help in lowering the reaction conditions. This will in turn increase the rate of reaction. The catalyst does not alter the chemical combination of the reactants of the reaction but is just used to accelerate the rate of the reaction.

Therefore, at constant temperature, addition of a catalyst to a chemical reaction would provide an alternative reaction mechanism with a lower activation energy.