H.7 Catalysts [ENDORSED]

[Melvin Reputana 1L]

Hello can someone please help me understand what catalysts are and how they work? I understand that catalysts do not participate in a chemical reaction. However, for example in H.7, how does the copper metal help drive the reaction without interacting with the reactants?

[SnehinRajkumar1L]

Catalysts typically lower the activation energy of a reaction so that it can happen faster. I assume that the catalyst does the same in that reaction.

[AnnikaMittelhauser4E]

Catalysts can work in a variety of ways. One way is as a reactant in an intermediate reaction. A lot of the chemical equations we see are simplified and don't include middle steps. An example is O3 + O --> 2O2. That reaction is catalyzed by Cl and in full it is actually two steps
1. Cl + O3 --> ClO + O2
2. ClO + O --> Cl + O2. Cl is not used up but it was necessary to get the ball rolling.

Another way I understand less, and what I think is happening in this problem, is that transition metals can act as a place for a reaction to happen. They both can easily exchange e- with other atoms, and apparently can absorb small gaseous molecules in a way. So, I think, that they essentially bring the reactants together and sometimes act as an intermediate.

[Sartaj Bal 1J]

Also, a catalyst may be identified in a chemical reaction with an element written above the "yield" arrow.

[Pipiena Malafu 3J]

To add, catalysts typically affect the speed at which reactions occur rather than affecting equilibrium states of reactions.