Chemistry Regent Exam August 2022
23. What is the purpose of adding a catalyst to a chemical reaction?
1. to decrease the potential energy of the products
2. to increase the potential energy of the reactants
3. to convert solid reactants to liquid reactants
4. to provide an alternate reaction pathway
Explanation: A catalyst is a substance that speeds up the reaction by lowering its activation energy. How does it lower activation energy? By providing an alternate reaction pathway.
Answer: 4