Question

Which statement best describes how a catalyst increases the rate of a reaction?

(1) The catalyst provides an alternate reaction pathway with a higher activation energy.
(2) The catalyst provides an alternate reaction pathway with a lower activation energy.
(3) The catalyst provides the same reaction pathway with a higher activation energy.
(4) The catalyst provides the same reaction pathway with a lower activation energy.

Answer 1

A catalyst works by providing an alternate reaction pathway with a lower activation energy thus allowing more particles of the reactant to overcome the energy barrier and form product per unit of time. (OPTION 2)