BRAINCAKECatalysts and Kc
A catalyst increases the rate of a reaction by providing an alternative route with a lower activation energy. In a reversible reaction it lowers the activation energy of the forward and reverse reactions by the same amount.
As a result, the rates of the forward and reverse reactions increase by the same factor. The equilibrium concentrations are unchanged, so a catalyst does not affect the value of Kc and the position of equilibrium does not move.
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Key terms in this lesson
- equilibrium constant Kc
- The value, at a given temperature, of the equilibrium expression written in terms of the concentrations of reactants and products.
More in Equilibria
- Dynamic Equilibria
- Homogenous and Heterogenous Equilibria and Kc
- Finding the Value of Kc
- The Effect of Temperature on Kc
- Partial Pressures and Kp
All 6 lessons in Equilibria · All OCR A-level Chemistry topics