Catalysis and equilibrium
A catalyst changes the reaction pathway and rate, while preserving the equilibrium constant for the same reaction.
Key knowledge
A catalyst provides an alternative reaction pathway that increases the rate and is regenerated in the overall reaction. Catalysed pathways can have lower activation barriers. For the same reversible reaction under fixed thermodynamic conditions, catalysis can hasten the approach to equilibrium without changing its equilibrium constant.
Conditions and scope
- Compare the same reaction at the same temperature; changed conditions, binding or side reactions require separate accounting.
- Regeneration is a reaction-cycle statement, not a promise of unlimited catalyst lifetime or a change in thermodynamic favourability.
Sources · 4
References
Sources retain their recorded scope. A source link alone does not establish verification of every statement.
Paul Flowers, Klaus Theopold, Richard Langley and William R. Robinson — OpenStax, Rice University2 sources
- Chemistry 2e, 12.7: CatalysisPaul Flowers, Klaus Theopold, Richard Langley and William R. Robinson — OpenStax, Rice UniversityTextbook chapter
- Chemistry 2e, 13.3: Shifting Equilibria — Effect of a CatalystPaul Flowers, Klaus Theopold, Richard Langley and William R. Robinson — OpenStax, Rice UniversityTextbook chapter
- Physical Sciences 12: CatalystsSiyavulaTextbook chapter
- Chemistry XII: Chemical KineticsNCERTTextbook chapter · PDF
Evidence and review
Published alternative-pathway diagrams and forward/reverse acceleration account; no catalyst performance test was conducted.
2026-10-10 · English kinetic/thermodynamic distinction checked against sections 12.7 and 13.3, especially Effect of a Catalyst.
Foundational review
2026-10-10 · Fresh primary-source inspection of the complete compact record, including every statement, equation, quantity and material condition, followed by independent AI editorial review. This check does not certify all linked lessons or every passage of every cited publication.
Sources from other places
Agreement within this scope
Alternative pathways and an unchanged equilibrium constant for the same reaction.
A faster approach to equilibrium does not change its thermodynamic position.
Siyavula
- Physical Sciences 12: Catalysts South AfricaEnglish
§7.4 Alternative pathway and activation energy
- Physical Sciences 12: Catalysts
NCERT
- Chemistry XII: Chemical Kinetics IndiaEnglish
§§3.1–3.2.3, printed pp62–68: rate and experimental order; §3.4.1, printed p82: catalyst and equilibrium
- Chemistry XII: Chemical Kinetics
Entry details
Permanent link to this entry ↗- Record identity
- chem-catalysis
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- core.1
- Structured reference record
- Essential core · first collection