Question

How do catalysts affect a chemical reaction?
1. provide activation energy
2. increase activation energy
3. lose activation energy

Answer 1

Catalysts affect a chemical reaction by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to proceed. Therefore, the correct statement would be:

1. provide activation energy.

However, it's more accurate to say that catalysts reduce the activation energy barrier rather than providing it. They enable the reaction to occur more easily and increase the reaction rate without being consumed in the process. Hence, they do not gain or lose activation energy; they simply facilitate the reaction.