AQA · GCSE · Chemistry · Higher
Meaning of the term catalyst
Catalysts affect the rate of reactions.
What is meant by a ‘catalyst’?
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Marking points
- 1 States that a catalyst increases or changes the rate of reaction.
- 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.