Edexcel A-Level Chemistry AS 9.5 The Role of Catalysts in Providing Alternative Reaction Routes of Lower Activation Energy Questions

State both the alternative route and lower Eₐ, then use rate evidence to identify a catalyst while keeping reactant/product energy levels and K unchanged.

Exam points

State that a catalyst supplies an alternative pathway with lower activation energy.
Use reaction-time evidence to identify which added substance acts as a catalyst.
Explain that a catalyst changes Eₐ but not ΔH, equilibrium position or equilibrium constant.

[Maximum number: 1]

The Sabatier process uses carbon dioxide and hydrogen to produce methane and water.

\mathrm{CO}_{2}(\mathrm{~g})+4 \mathrm{H}_{2}(\mathrm{~g}) \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{CH}_{4}(\mathrm{~g})+2 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(\mathrm{~g}) \quad \Delta_{\mathrm{r}} H=-165 \mathrm{~kJ} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1}

The process is carried out at a temperature of $400^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ and a pressure of 30 atm , in the presence of a nickel catalyst.

State how a catalyst increases the rate of a reaction.

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Edexcel A-Level Chemistry AS 9.5 The Role of Catalysts in Providing Alternative Reaction Routes of Lower Activation Energy Questions question 1