Question

Which of the following explains the increase in the reaction rate by a catalyst?

(a) Catalyst decreases the rate of backward reaction so that rate of forward reaction increases

(b) Catalyst provides extra energy to reacting molecules so that they produce effective collisions

(c) Catalyst provides an alternative path of lower activation energy to the reactants

(d) Catalyst increases the number of collisions between the reacting molecules.

I have been asked this question in an online interview.

I would like to ask this question from Collision Theory of Chemical Reactions topic in division Chemical Kinetics of Chemistry – Class 12

Answer 1

Correct choice is (c) Catalyst provides an alternative path of lower activation energy to the reactants

The best explanation: It is because when the activation energy (Ea) is lower in a reaction, more number of reactant particles have enough energy to react and form products. Hence, it provides an alternative path and the reactions tend to occur faster.