Question

What way does a catalyst make equilibrium shift?

A) A catalyst does not affect the equilibrium position
B) A catalyst shifts the equilibrium towards the reactants
C) A catalyst shifts the equilibrium towards the products
D) A catalyst increases the concentration of reactants and products equally

Answer 1

A catalyst does not affect the position of an equilibrium, but it speeds up both the forward and reverse reactions, helping the reaction reach equilibrium faster.

Step-by-step explanation:

Adding a catalyst to this, or any other equilibrium system, will not affect the position of an equilibrium. A catalyst speeds up both the forward and the reverse reactions, so there is no uneven change in reaction rates. Generally, a catalyst will help a reaction to reach the point of equilibrium sooner, but it will not affect the equilibrium otherwise.