How do catalysts speed up reactions?
They stir the reactants, causing more particle collisions.
They increase the surface area of reactants.
They increase the temperature of the reaction.
They lower the energy barrier of a reaction.
1 answer
They provide an alternate pathway for the reaction to occur with lower activation energy. This lowers the energy barrier for the reaction, allowing the reactants to transform into products more easily and quickly. By lowering the activation energy, catalysts speed up reactions without being consumed in the process.