1) why arent they consumed in the reaction ( can you explain step by step how it influences the reaction?)
2) is it energy related?
In: 4
Compound with elements A and B reacts with element C to create compound AC and loose element B. Compound AC then breaks down naturally due to instability. You now have elements A, B, and C completely separate from each other. You should note that element C started the reaction, and finished the reaction in the same state, and as such, is a catalyst.
Different catalyzing reactions work differently, but they all end up where they started. If the element got consumed in the reaction, then it would be a *reactant* not a catalyst.
Now, because it is reacting to the other compounds, and chemical reactions aren’t perfect, most catalysts will degrade over time, but most of the time, it ends up separate from the reactants.
Yeah, it’s energy related. All reactions have a minimum starting energy they need to get going, catalysts provide a separate path that has a lower minimum energy than the direct reaction.
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