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How does a catalyst work?

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Quick answer

A catalyst works by giving a chemical reaction an easier route. Every reaction must climb an energy 'hill' (the activation energy) to happen; a catalyst lowers that hill — often by holding the reacting molecules in just the right position — so far more collisions succeed and the reaction speeds up, while the catalyst itself comes out unchanged.

Step by step

  1. Lowers the reaction's activation-energy 'hill'.
  2. Often holds molecules in the right position to react.
  3. More collisions succeed, so the reaction speeds up.
  4. The catalyst is regenerated, not consumed.

People also ask

How does a catalyst work?
It provides a lower-energy pathway, so more molecules have enough energy to react — speeding the reaction up without being used up.
Does a catalyst change the products?
No — it only changes how fast the same products form; it doesn't alter what's made.
What is a catalytic converter?
A car part that uses metal catalysts to turn harmful exhaust gases into less toxic ones as they pass through.