I got questions about catalytic converter. Can someone please help me out? Thanks in advance

Question

1. Why is it necessarty to have additional air in exhaust before it enters the catalytic converter?

2. A catalytic converter is not effective when cold. Use the concept of activation energy to explain why.

My guess: Is it that when cold, the molecules cannot overcome the energy barrier, so that's why the catalytic converter is not effective?

Answer 1

My best guess is that your guess is correct. Here is a site from which you may find information about the first question. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalytic_converter

Answer 2

I can't get the first one still though I had looked up the website you gave me. Can u explain it to me?
Thanks