Practice question · Multiple choice
For a gaseous equilibrium at fixed temperature, which statement best explains why an added catalyst leaves the yield untouched?
Hints
- A catalyst lowers the barrier in both directions by the same amount.
- If both rate constants rise by the same factor, their ratio is unchanged.
Show the answer
C. Only the time taken to reach equilibrium changes
Why
A catalyst multiplies the forward and reverse rate constants equally, so , their ratio, cannot move. Equilibrium simply arrives sooner, at exactly the same composition.
Practise Chemical Equilibrium
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