The presence of a catalyst in a chemical reaction, such as the reaction between hydrogen peroxide H2O2 and potassium iodide KI , significantly increases the rate of the reaction without being consumed in the process. In this specific reaction, the catalyst is often a transition metal, such as iron III or manganese IV , which can be in the form of a compound like iron III chloride FeCl3 or manganese dioxide MnO2 .The reaction between hydrogen peroxide and potassium iodide can be represented by the following equation:2 H2O2 aq + 2 KI aq 2 H2O l + 2 KI aq + O2 g + I2 s In the presence of a catalyst, the activation energy required for the reaction to occur is lowered, allowing the reaction to proceed at a faster rate. The catalyst achieves this by providing an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy. As a result, more reactant molecules have enough energy to overcome the activation energy barrier, leading to an increased rate of reaction.The significance of this result in practical applications is that catalysts can be used to control the rate of reactions, making them more efficient and cost-effective. In the case of the hydrogen peroxide and potassium iodide reaction, the rapid production of oxygen gas and iodine can be useful in various applications, such as:1. Chemical demonstrations: The rapid evolution of oxygen gas and the formation of a deep purple iodine vapor make this reaction visually striking and a popular choice for chemistry demonstrations.2. Oxygen generation: The accelerated decomposition of hydrogen peroxide can be used to generate oxygen gas in emergency situations, such as in submarines or spacecraft, where a rapid supply of oxygen is needed.3. Disinfection and sterilization: The reaction produces iodine, which is a powerful disinfectant and can be used for water treatment, sterilization of medical equipment, and wound disinfection.4. Environmental remediation: The rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide can be used to break down organic pollutants in soil and water, as well as to neutralize toxic compounds in industrial waste.In summary, the presence of a catalyst in the reaction between hydrogen peroxide and potassium iodide significantly increases the rate of the reaction, making it more efficient and useful in various practical applications.