Chemistry 30

3.5 Addition of a Catalyst

The addition of a catalyst to an equilibrium system is our final stress factor. How will adding a catalyst affect the following:

N_{2 (g)} + O_{2 (g)} 2 NO_(g)

Adding a catalyst to this, or any other equilibrium system, will not affect the position of an equilibrium. A catalyst speeds up both the forward and the reverse reactions, so there is no uneven change in reaction rates. Generally, a catalyst will help a reaction to reach the point of equilibrium sooner, but it will not affect the equilibrium otherwise.