Catalysts are special substances that help chemical reactions happen faster by making it easier for them to occur. They do this by lowering the activation energy, which is the energy needed to start a reaction. Here’s how they work:
Increasing Surface Area: Catalysts can make more space for reactions to happen. When there's more area for the reacting materials to meet, they collide more often. This can make reactions happen 10 to 100 times faster!
Creating Temporary Compounds: Some catalysts form temporary compounds while the reaction takes place. This helps lower the energy barrier, meaning the reaction needs less energy to go forward. In some cases, this can cut the activation energy needed by half!
Stabilizing High-Energy States: Catalysts can hold steady the high-energy state that happens during a reaction. This also helps bring down the total energy needed for the reaction to occur.
In summary, catalysts can lower the activation energy from about 100 kJ/mol to as little as 20 kJ/mol when the conditions are just right. This makes reactions happen much faster!
Catalysts are special substances that help chemical reactions happen faster by making it easier for them to occur. They do this by lowering the activation energy, which is the energy needed to start a reaction. Here’s how they work:
Increasing Surface Area: Catalysts can make more space for reactions to happen. When there's more area for the reacting materials to meet, they collide more often. This can make reactions happen 10 to 100 times faster!
Creating Temporary Compounds: Some catalysts form temporary compounds while the reaction takes place. This helps lower the energy barrier, meaning the reaction needs less energy to go forward. In some cases, this can cut the activation energy needed by half!
Stabilizing High-Energy States: Catalysts can hold steady the high-energy state that happens during a reaction. This also helps bring down the total energy needed for the reaction to occur.
In summary, catalysts can lower the activation energy from about 100 kJ/mol to as little as 20 kJ/mol when the conditions are just right. This makes reactions happen much faster!