Question

Following chemical reaction involves a homogeneous catalyst
\[2S{{O}_{2(g)}}+{{O}_{2(g)}}\xrightarrow{N{{O}_{(g)}}}2S{{O}_{3(g)}}\]
(A) True
(B) False

Answer 1

Hint: If a chemical reaction reactants and catalyst are in the same phase (i.e. liquid or gaseous phase), then the catalyst is a homogeneous catalyst. If the reactants and catalyst are in different phases, then the catalyst is a heterogeneous catalyst.

Complete step by step answer:
Catalyst is defined as a substance which accelerates the rate of reaction and themselves remain chemically and quantitatively unchanged after the reaction.
There are two types of catalysts:
Homogeneous catalyst
-A catalyst which exists in the same phase as that of reactants is known as Homogeneous catalyst.
-Catalyst and reactants form a single phase.
-The catalyst dissolves in the gas phase or solution.
-Catalyst can not be easily separated from the products of the reaction.
-The rate of reaction independent of surface area of the catalyst.

Heterogeneous catalyst
-A catalyst which exists in different phases as that of reactants is known as Heterogeneous catalyst.
-Catalyst and reactants form a different phase.
-Catalyst does not dissolve in the reacting mixture.
-The reaction does not take place in the gas or liquid phase.
-The rate of reaction depends on the surface area of the catalyst.
In the given equation both the reactants( $S{{O}_{2(g)}}$ and ${{O}_{2(g)}}$ ) and catalyst($N{{O}_{(g)}}$ ) are in same phase i.e. gaseous phase.
Hence it involves a homogeneous catalyst.

The given statement is true.

Note: Reactions which involve homogeneous catalysts are faster than the one involving heterogeneous catalysts. Homogeneous catalyst is used in hydrolysis of sugar and esters. Heterogeneous catalyst is used in manufacturing Ammonia, Ostwald’s process and hydrogenation of vegetable oils to Ghee.