Question

in a reaction, a catalyst will:
a. increase the temperature of the system
b. make the system exothermic
c. change the specific heat
d. lower the activation energy

Explanation:

A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction by providing an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy. It does not increase the temperature of the system (A is wrong), does not make the system exothermic (B is wrong as exothermic or endothermic nature is determined by the reaction itself, not the catalyst), and does not change the specific heat (C is wrong).

Answer:

D. Lower the activation energy