(h) If a catalyst was added to the reaction, which quantities would change? (Select all that apply.)

Question

- the potential energy of the products
- the potential energy of the reactants
- the potential energy of the activated complex
-the activation energy for the reverse reaction
- the activation energy for the forward reaction

I know catalysts lower the activation energy, so I think the last two would change. Do more quantities change?

Answer 1

I tried to find some graphs; here is the best I could do.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reaction_coordinate

You're right with your statement about catalysts and I agree that the last two change. I am ambivalent about c because of the wording. Adding a catalyst certainly lowers the activation energy and that complex has a lower potential energy than the uncatalyzed reaction which would tend to make me choose c also. However, before the catalyst is added THERE IS NO activated complex and it will move to whatever level the reaction takes it but it will not change from some pre-determined level. That makes me not choose c. So take your pick. I'm inclined to think c is worded that way as a trick part of the question and I would not choose it.