T/F: catalyst lowers the activation energy of the reaction

[hausee]

If been asked in the DAT, is it true or false?

Catalyst does provide alternative route with lower activation energy, but it can not LOWERs activation energy of the origional reaction, right?

Thanks

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[mmzx]

.

 

[sw1sschez]

I thought you already finished the DAT?

I believe it does lower the activation energy of the original reaction using the same reaction route. It's like a piece of steak. It will deteriorate over time but it will be faster if you help it along with a catalyst...say amylase or something (I'm just using that as an example). Ex. H2/Pt, the platinum is the catalyst that lowers the activation energy enough to make it so much easier for the H2 to say reduce an alkene. That's just an example I thought of...but I am pretty much sure 99.99% that NO new reaction pathway is used. If that was the case, it'd be a new reaction.

 

[wantVCUdental]

I thought you already finished the DAT?

I believe it does lower the activation energy of the original reaction using the same reaction route. It's like a piece of steak. It will deteriorate over time but it will be faster if you help it along with a catalyst...say amylase or something (I'm just using that as an example). Ex. H2/Pt, the platinum is the catalyst that lowers the activation energy enough to make it so much easier for the H2 to say reduce an alkene. That's just an example I thought of...but I am pretty much sure 99.99% that NO new reaction pathway is used. If that was the case, it'd be a new reaction.

That is INCORRECT, when a catalyst is used, the reaction goes through a completely different mechanism and the activation energy is lowered. and it is pretty much a new reaction. This question is asked in destroyer Bio, if you have destroyer go through it in detail.

 

[loveoforganic]

True. I don't understand your wording, but I'll explain it. It lowers the activation by some sort of mechanism (depends on the reaction) and the end result is the same, just faster. Though the mechanism may be different, it is still the same reaction. Lowering the activation energy and not being used up in a reaction is what defines a catalyst.

That is INCORRECT, when a catalyst is used, the reaction goes through a completely different mechanism and the activation energy is lowered. and it is pretty much a new reaction. This question is asked in destroyer Bio, if you have destroyer go through it in detail.

👍