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AQA · GCSE · Chemistry · Higher

Meaning of the term catalyst

Q02.3 2 marks

Catalysts affect the rate of reactions.

What is meant by a ‘catalyst’?

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Marking points

  1. 1 States that a catalyst increases or changes the rate of reaction.
  2. 2 States that it is not used up during the reaction.

Full-mark answer

A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a reaction without being used up during the reaction.

Why this answer loses marks

A catalyst does not take part in the reaction.

The official guidance ignores this wording; state that it changes the rate and is not used up.