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Which statement about the addition of a catalyst to an equilibrium mixture is correct? A - AQA - A-Level Chemistry - Question 20 - 2021 - Paper 3
Question 20
Which statement about the addition of a catalyst to an equilibrium mixture is correct? A. The activation energy for the reverse reaction increases. B. The equilibr... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Which statement about the addition of a catalyst to an equilibrium mixture is correct? A - AQA - A-Level Chemistry - Question 20 - 2021 - Paper 3
Step 1
C. The rate of the reverse reaction increases.
Answer
When a catalyst is added to a system at equilibrium, it speeds up both the forward and reverse reactions equally by lowering the activation energy for both pathways. Therefore, the rate of the reverse reaction indeed increases, allowing the system to reach equilibrium faster without affecting the position of the equilibrium or the equilibrium constant.