What are catalysts?
2 marks · HardState two features that are always true for catalysts when used in a chemical reaction.
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Also accept: A catalyst increases the rate of a chemical reaction and is unchanged at the end; A catalyst provides an alternative pathway; A catalyst is not used up in the reaction
Common mistakes: Saying catalysts are used up; Saying catalysts start reactions
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Marking points
B1 · 1 mark · States that a catalyst is not used up in a reaction or is chemically unchanged at the end.
B2 · 1 mark · States that a catalyst speeds up (increases the rate of) a reaction.
Worked solution
A catalyst is not used up in a reaction and remains chemically unchanged at the end.
A catalyst speeds up (increases the rate of) the chemical reaction.