Organic Chemistry : Help with Activation Energy and Catalysts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Organic Chemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Help With Activation Energy And Catalysts

With what mechanism do catalysts speed up a reaction?

Possible Answers:

They lower the  of the reaction.

They lower the activation energy of the reaction.

They raise the activation energy of the reaction.

They increase the  of the reaction.

Correct answer:

They lower the activation energy of the reaction.

Explanation:

Regarding chemical reactions, the activation energy is the minimum energy which must be available in a chemical system in order for reactants to participate in a chemical reaction. Catalysts speed up reactions by lowering this minimum energy. Raising it would have the opposite effect. Catalysts do not alter the  of a reaction. Remember this--it is a common error to make!

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