How does a catalyst influence a chemical reaction?

Question

It speeds up or slows down a chemical reaction by direct participation.
It reacts with products to increase the concentration of reactants.
It decreases the amount of energy necessary for the reaction to proceed.
It increases the total amount of products formed

Answer 1

Catalysts influence a chemical reaction by decreasing the activation energy required for the reaction to occur. This lowers the energy barrier for the reaction to proceed, making it faster and more efficient. Catalysts themselves are not consumed in the reaction and can be used multiple times, making them very effective in increasing the rate of a chemical reaction without being permanently altered. This increased rate of reaction can result in a higher yield of products being formed in a shorter amount of time.