Quick rate constant question

[Hemichordate]

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In my cases, I've only seen that the rate constant is dependent on temperature. HOwever, examkrackers says that is is also dependent on catalysts and pressure, but almost to a negligible degree. On the real MCAT, are we to assume that k is only dependent on temperature?

 

[Isoprop]

OHHH MAN. You better believe temperature isn't the only factor. Catalysts have a BIGGGG impact on rate constant. You don't have to memorize the arrhenius equation, but you should know what the terms are and what they mean.

 

[PiBond]

you might have been confusing kinetics with thermodynamics. we usually only see temperature effect the equilibrium (thermo) whereas both temperature and activation energy with influence the rate (kinetics)

as isoprop alluded to, the arrhenius equation shows mathematically how activation energy and temp affect rate. since catalysts lower the activation energy, they speed up the rate (but they don't influence thermodynamics).

k = Ae^-Ea/RT

this equation shows us that by either raising temp, or lowering Ea (activation energy) we increase the rate of the reaction