Question

Calculate the effect of adding a catalyst on the equilibrium position of the following redox reaction: Fe2+(aq) + H2O2(aq) + 2H+(aq) ⇌ Fe3+(aq) + 2H2O(l) If a catalyst is added to the reaction mixture, what will be the new equilibrium constant (Kc)? And how will the addition of a catalyst affect the value of Kc?

Answer 1

Adding a catalyst to a reaction does not affect the equilibrium position or the equilibrium constant  Kc  of the reaction. A catalyst works by lowering the activation energy of the reaction, which allows the reaction to proceed at a faster rate. However, it does not change the thermodynamics of the reaction, meaning that the equilibrium constant  Kc  remains the same.In the case of the redox reaction:Fe2+ aq  + H2O2 aq  + 2H+ aq   Fe3+ aq  + 2H2O l The addition of a catalyst will speed up the rate at which the reaction reaches equilibrium, but the value of Kc and the equilibrium position will remain unchanged.