In catalysis, activation energy for the forward reaction is typically...

In catalysis, activation energy for the forward reaction is typically...

• A. It remains unchanged
• B. It is higher than the uncatalyzed pathway
• C. It is lower than the uncatalyzed pathway
• D. It cannot be determined

Answer: (C)

A catalyst provides an alternative reaction pathway with a lower energy barrier for the forward step. By stabilizing the transition state and offering a different mechanism, the energy that reactants must overcome to go to products is reduced, so the forward activation energy decreases. This speeds up the reaction without changing the overall energy difference between reactants and products, meaning the equilibrium position isn’t altered. So, the forward activation energy is lower than in the uncatalyzed pathway.

A catalyst provides an alternative reaction pathway with a lower energy barrier for the forward step. By stabilizing the transition state and offering a different mechanism, the energy that reactants must overcome to go to products is reduced, so the forward activation energy decreases. This speeds up the reaction without changing the overall energy difference between reactants and products, meaning the equilibrium position isn’t altered. So, the forward activation energy is lower than in the uncatalyzed pathway.