Help with Activation Energy and Catalysts

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Organic Chemistry › Help with Activation Energy and Catalysts

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With what mechanism do catalysts speed up a reaction?

They lower the activation energy of the reaction.

They raise the activation energy of the reaction.

They increase the $\Delta G$ of the reaction.

They lower the $\Delta G$ of the reaction.

Explanation

Regarding chemical reactions, the activation energy is the minimum energy which must be available in a chemical system in order for reactants to participate in a chemical reaction. Catalysts speed up reactions by lowering this minimum energy. Raising it would have the opposite effect. Catalysts do not alter the $\Delta G$ of a reaction. Remember this--it is a common error to make!

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