## Catalysts

$\frac{d[R]}{dt}=-k; [R]=-kt + [R]_{0}; t_{\frac{1}{2}}=\frac{[R]_{0}}{2k}$

Shivam Patel
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Sep 25, 2015 3:00 am

### Catalysts

Are we expected to know the graphs of Zero/First/Second Order Reaction with catalysts? If so, how would the graphs change with the introduction of a catalyst?

Sydney Chang 1F
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri Sep 25, 2015 3:00 am

### Re: Catalysts

In the presence of a catalyst, both the forward and reverse reaction rates will speed up equally, thereby allowing the system to reach equilibrium faster. However, the addition of a catalyst has no effect whatsoever on the final equilibrium position of the reaction. It simply gets it there faster. You can see the effect of a catalyst in this depiction: https://figures.boundless.com/11611/full/catalysisscheme.png

Aashi_Patel_3B
Posts: 20
Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2016 2:57 pm

### Re: Catalysts

Catalysts can also lower the overall activation energy needed to begin a reaction. This is more from a biological standpoint, but it still is the same concept: catalysts can aid a reaction in starting with lower energy or help the reaction speed up. I think this would translate into a graph by where the initial energy stands.