Does a catalyst affect the rate constant?

[JDAD]

??????????????????????

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[adamj61]

rate constant is a unique quality of the rxn...a catalyst speads up the reaction, or the velocity of the reaction the biochemist in me yells

 

[JDAD]

Actually, I just found it. A catalyst lowers the activation energy of the reaction. Using the Arrhenius equation,

k = Ae (raised to the) -Ea/RT

Therefore, if a catalyst lowers the activation energy, (Ea), resulting in an increase of "k".

Result: Catalyst's change the rate constant, but they only affect the kinetics (speed) of the reaction. They don't alter any thermodynamic properties.


Agree?

 

[bella_dottoressa]

Agreed. Change forward and reverse rxn, change rate constant, do NOT change equilibrium!

 

[willthatsall]

That's word.

 

[adamj61]

Yes, now for some michaelis-menton graphs and equations