Question detail
What is a catalyst?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Rate of reaction
Question
- A. A substance that increases the rate of a reaction and is used up in the process
- B. A substance that changes the rate of a chemical reaction but is not used up
- C. A substance that decreases the activation energy of a reaction
- D. A substance that is always a solid in reactions
Answer
A substance that changes the rate of a chemical reaction but is not used up
Explanation
The correct answer is A substance that changes the rate of a chemical reaction but is not used up. This answer directly addresses the question: What is a catalyst? It matches the approved Chemistry 8462 learning objective and the linked subtopic. The other options are incorrect because they either change the rate, catalyst, reversible reaction, equilibrium, or graph context, or they do not answer the exact point being tested.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Reaction Profiles
Students often confuse the energy levels of reactants and products in catalysed and uncatalysed reactions on reaction profiles.
To fix this, students should practice sketching reaction profiles, clearly labeling the activation energy for both catalysed and uncatalysed pathways, and noting how the catalyst lowers the activation energy.
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