Which of the following analytical statements rigorously describe the thermodynamic and kinetic prope — Chemical Kinetics Chemistry Question
Question
Which of the following analytical statements rigorously describe the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of a positive catalyst functioning within a closed, reversible chemical system?
💡 Solution & Explanation
A catalyst actively provides a completely different reaction mechanism pathway that inherently possesses a lower activation energy transition state (D is correct). Crucially, this new pathway lowers the activation barrier for BOTH the forward and reverse reactions by the exact same algebraic amount. Consequently, the rates of both forward and reverse reactions increase equally, meaning the equilibrium position ($K_{eq}$) and state thermodynamics ($\Delta G^\circ$, $\Delta H^\circ$) remain strictly unchanged (B is correct; A and C are false).