How Does Catalysis Affect the Equilibrium Constant?
Catalysts are substances that increase the rate of a reaction without being consumed in the process. They work by providing an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy. However, it is important to note that catalysts do not alter the equilibrium constant (K) of a reaction. This is because a catalyst accelerates both the forward and reverse reactions equally, thereby allowing the system to reach equilibrium faster but not changing the position of equilibrium itself.
