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

The correct answer is: It decreases the amount of energy necessary for the reaction to proceed.

A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction by providing an alternative pathway with a lower activation energy. This allows the reaction to occur faster and more efficiently without being consumed in the process.