How Does Concentration Affect Catalytic Reactions?
The effect of concentration on catalytic reactions can be understood through various models and theories, such as the Michaelis-Menten kinetics for enzyme catalysis and the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model for heterogeneous catalysis.
Michaelis-Menten Kinetics: In enzyme catalysis, the reaction rate initially increases with substrate concentration but eventually reaches a maximum when the enzyme becomes saturated with the substrate. Langmuir-Hinshelwood Model: For heterogeneous catalysis, the reaction rate depends on the adsorption of reactants on the catalyst surface. At low concentrations, increased reactant concentration leads to higher adsorption and faster reactions. At high concentrations, the catalyst surface becomes saturated, and the reaction rate plateaus.
