How can a catalyst lower the activation energy?

Question

Please help me...pls explain these statements in details for me.....

"A chemical reaction occurs when reactant particles collide with one another.In the presence can collide with the catalyst and also with each other.This causes the reactant to react in different ways.Thus the activation energy of the reaction can be increased or decreased depending on the type of catalyst used."

I want to know why reactant particles can react in different ways when they collide with the catalyst?
Wat's the different ways?

Answer 1

Wow.. in my opinon, as a former Chemistry teacher, that isn't a very well written question.

I can easily see why you, or anybody would be confused with it.

A chemical reaction occurs when reactant particles collide with one another in precisely the direction and portions necessary, and with enough energy to cause the reaction to occur.

The presence of a catalyst in itself causes a reaction where one of the primary reactants (if not both) are stabilized, to where the other reagent has less difficulty lining up for a proper angle of collision, thereby reducing the need for any additional amounts of energy to be present in the system.

Without the catylist, the primary reactant is not as likely to be in the position necessary to initiate the reaction without all that extra energy.

But with the catalyst, the part of the primary reactant that needs to be properly aligned for the reaction to occur is being held in that one position for much greater periods of time, giving the reagent more time in which to collide with it, so less energy is needed.

I have never before thought of a catalyst as being an agent of reaction prevention, but, I guess that's exactly what dietary antioxidants do, so, I guess that the term catalyst could be used to describe them as agents that prevent the primary reactant from being in the position for a reagent to collide with it, wihtout even GREATER amounts of engergy in the system.

Answer 2

catalyst speeds up reaction so it lowers the activation energy therefore particles will be able to collide with the particles on the right vigorously because the activation energy is being lowered due to the presence of specific catalyst