Question

What is the effect of adding a catalyst on the equilibrium position of a redox reaction between iron and copper ions in a solution at room temperature, and how would the equilibrium constant be affected by the addition of the catalyst?

Answer 1

Adding a catalyst to a redox reaction between iron and copper ions in a solution at room temperature will not affect the equilibrium position or the equilibrium constant. A catalyst works by lowering the activation energy of a reaction, which allows the reaction to proceed at a faster rate. However, it does not change the overall thermodynamics of the reaction, meaning that the equilibrium position and the equilibrium constant remain unchanged.In other words, the catalyst will help the reaction reach equilibrium more quickly, but it will not alter the final concentrations of the reactants and products at equilibrium.