Question

The role of catalyst to change
A. The Gibbs energy of reaction
B. Enthalpy of reaction
C. Activation energy of reaction
D. Equilibrium constant

Answer 1

Hint: A catalyst provides an alternate pathway which has lower activation energy and faster rate of reaction. A catalyst can’t change Gibbs energy of reaction, enthalpy of reaction and equilibrium constant.

Complete step by step answer:
In this question we have asked the role of catalyst. So, first of all we need to know, what is the catalyst? A catalyst is something that lowers the activation energy.
Let’s know about what is activation energy? The minimum energy that is needed for a reaction to take place is called the activation energy.
Why does any reaction need energy? It is because the reaction starts with a collision of two or more reactants. When they collide in a proper orientation, the reaction occurs. The function of a catalyst is to lower the activation energy so that a greater proportion of the particles have enough energy to react. A catalyst can lower the activation energy for a reaction by:
A. Orienting the reacting particles in such a way that successful collisions are more likely
B. Reacting with the reactants to form an intermediate that requires lower energy to form the product.
This is how a catalyst works during a reaction.
A and B are reactants, C is the catalyst, and D is the product of the reaction of A and B.
Step 1: A+C→AC
Step 2: B+AC→ACB
Step 3: ACB→C+D
ACB represents the intermediate chemical. As we can see, the catalyst (C) is consumed by reaction 1 but later, it is released again by reaction 3, so that the overall reaction will be: A+B+C→D+C or we can write it as A+B-> D
So, the catalyst has provided an alternative set of reaction steps, which we refer to as an alternative pathway. The pathway involving the catalyst requires less activation energy and is therefore faster.

Note:
In biology, catalyst is an enzyme. Enzymes are proteins that significantly speed up the rate of virtually all of the chemical reactions that take place within cells. They are vital for life and serve a wide range of important functions in the body, such as aiding in digestion and metabolism.