Catalyst

A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being used up in the reaction.

📌 It lowers the activation energy, which makes the reaction happen faster or more easily.

🔹 Catalysts do not become part of the final product — they help but don’t get changed permanently.

🧪 Real-Life Example

In your body, enzymes act as biological catalysts — they help digest food faster.
In cars, catalytic converters use catalysts to reduce harmful gas emissions.
In industry, iron is used as a catalyst to make ammonia (in the Haber process).

🔁 How Does a Catalyst Work?

Every chemical reaction needs activation energy (energy to get started).
A catalyst provides an easier path with lower energy.
So the same reaction happens quicker and often at lower temperatures.

🧬 Types of Catalysts

Type	Description	Example
Biological catalysts	Called enzymes, work in living cells	Amylase (digests starch)
Homogeneous catalyst	Same phase as reactants (e.g., all liquids)	Acid in esterification reaction
Heterogeneous catalyst	Different phase (e.g., solid in liquid)	Iron in ammonia production
Auto-catalyst	Product of reaction acts as its own catalyst	Manganese in some oxidation

🧩 Key Characteristics of a Catalyst

✅ Speeds up reaction
✅ Not consumed in the reaction
✅ Used in small amounts
✅ Does not affect the amount of product
✅ Specific — works for certain reactions only

🧠 Fun Facts

Catalysts are reused over and over again
Without enzymes (natural catalysts), life processes would be too slow to support life
Catalysis is used in over 90% of industrial chemical reactions

🧪 Catalyst vs. Reactant

Feature	Catalyst	Reactant
Used up?	❌ No	✅ Yes
Affects speed?	✅ Yes (faster)	✅ Yes
Appears in product?	❌ No	✅ Yes