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How Can Catalysts Lower Activation Energy and Speed Up Reactions?

Catalysts are special substances that help chemical reactions happen faster. They do this by making it easier for the reaction to take place, lowering the energy needed to start it.

Here’s how they work:

  • Activation Energy (Ea): A catalyst can cut the activation energy in half or even more. This means it takes less energy to get the reaction going.

  • Reaction Rate Increase: There’s a rule called transition state theory. This says that if the temperature goes up by 10°C, the speed of the reaction can double. But with catalysts, you can get that same speed boost without having to heat things up.

  • Collision Theory: Catalysts help more particles collide successfully. They do this by helping to hold the particles in the right position, which makes reactions happen faster.

Because of all these benefits, catalysts are super important in factories and natural processes in our bodies.

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How Can Catalysts Lower Activation Energy and Speed Up Reactions?

Catalysts are special substances that help chemical reactions happen faster. They do this by making it easier for the reaction to take place, lowering the energy needed to start it.

Here’s how they work:

  • Activation Energy (Ea): A catalyst can cut the activation energy in half or even more. This means it takes less energy to get the reaction going.

  • Reaction Rate Increase: There’s a rule called transition state theory. This says that if the temperature goes up by 10°C, the speed of the reaction can double. But with catalysts, you can get that same speed boost without having to heat things up.

  • Collision Theory: Catalysts help more particles collide successfully. They do this by helping to hold the particles in the right position, which makes reactions happen faster.

Because of all these benefits, catalysts are super important in factories and natural processes in our bodies.

Related articles