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Chapter 14: Problem 59

The following statements about catalysis are not stated as carefully as they might be. What slight modifications would you make in them? (a) A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction but does not take part in the reaction. (b) The function of a catalyst is to lower the activation energy for a chemical reaction.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Refined versions of the statements are: (a) A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction by participating in the reaction but is returned to its initial state at the end of the reaction and (b) The function of a catalyst is to provide an alternate pathway for the chemical reaction that has a lower activation energy.

Step by step solution

01

Analyze Statement A

Analyze the first assertion: 'A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction but does not take part in the reaction.' Consider what a catalyst is understood to do, and evaluate whether the statement is technically correct.
02

Correct Statement A

The correct version of the statement should clarify that a catalyst does take part in a reaction, but it is returned to its original form by the end of the reaction. Hence, the refined version reads: 'A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction by taking part in the reaction but is returned to its initial state by the end of the reaction.'
03

Analyze Statement B

Next, analyze Statement B: 'The function of a catalyst is to lower the activation energy for a chemical reaction.' Consider whether a catalyst is indeed lowering the activation energy.
04

Correct Statement B

The correct version of the statement should clarify that a catalyst doesn't directly lower the activation energy; instead, it provides an alternate reaction pathway that has a lower activation energy. The refined version reads: 'The function of a catalyst is to provide an alternate pathway for the chemical reaction that has a lower activation energy.'

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The following data are for the reaction \(2 \mathrm{A}+\mathrm{B} \longrightarrow\) products. Establish the order of this reaction with respect to A and to B. $$\begin{array}{cccc} \hline \text { Expt 1, }[\mathrm{B}]=1.00 \mathrm{M} & & {\text { Expt 2, }[\mathrm{B}]=0.50 \mathrm{M}} \\ \hline \begin{array}{cccc} \text { Time, } \\ \text { min } \end{array} & \begin{array}{c} \text { [A], M } \\ \end{array} & \text { Time, } \text { min } &\text { [A], M } \\ \hline 0 & 1.000 \times 10^{-3} & 0 & 1.000 \times 10^{-3} \\ 1 & 0.951 \times 10^{-3} & 1 & 0.975 \times 10^{-3} \\ 5 & 0.779 \times 10^{-3} & 5 & 0.883 \times 10^{-3} \\ 10 & 0.607 \times 10^{-3} & 10 & 0.779 \times 10^{-3} \\ 20 & 0.368 \times 10^{-3} & 20 & 0.607 \times 10^{-3} \\ \hline \end{array}$$

For the reaction \(A \longrightarrow\) products, derive the integrated rate law and an expression for the half-life if the reaction is third order.

In the reaction \(A \longrightarrow\) products, 4.40 min after the reac- tion is started, \([\mathrm{A}]=0.588 \mathrm{M}\). The rate of reaction at this point is rate \(=-\Delta[\mathrm{A}] / \Delta t=2.2 \times 10^{-2} \mathrm{M} \mathrm{min}^{-1}.\) Assume that this rate remains constant for a short period of time. (a) What is \([\mathrm{A}] 5.00\) min after the reaction is started? (b) At what time after the reaction is started will \([\mathrm{A}]=0.565 \mathrm{M} ?\)

The half-life of the radioactive isotope phosphorus- 32 is 14.3 days. How long does it take for a sample of phosphorus-32 to lose \(99 \%\) of its radioactivity?

The first-order reaction \(A \longrightarrow\) products has a halflife, \(t_{1 / 2},\) of 46.2 min at \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) and \(2.6 \mathrm{min}\) at \(102^{\circ} \mathrm{C}.\) (a) Calculate the activation energy of this reaction. (b) At what temperature would the half-life be 10.0 min?
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