What effect do catalysts have on the equilibrium position of a reaction?

What effect do catalysts have on the equilibrium position of a reaction?

• A. They shift toward products
• B. They shift toward reactants
• C. They alter the equilibrium constant
• D. They do not change the equilibrium position (correct)

Answer: (D)

Catalysts affect how fast a reaction reaches equilibrium, not where the equilibrium lies. They provide a lower-energy pathway for both the forward and reverse reactions, so both directions are accelerated equally. Because they speed up reaching the balance but don’t change the relative amounts of products and reactants at that balance, the equilibrium constant stays the same at a given temperature. The equilibrium position would only change if the temperature (or other conditions that alter K_eq) is changed, not due to the presence of a catalyst. So a catalyst helps reach the existing balance faster without shifting it.

Catalysts affect how fast a reaction reaches equilibrium, not where the equilibrium lies. They provide a lower-energy pathway for both the forward and reverse reactions, so both directions are accelerated equally. Because they speed up reaching the balance but don’t change the relative amounts of products and reactants at that balance, the equilibrium constant stays the same at a given temperature. The equilibrium position would only change if the temperature (or other conditions that alter K_eq) is changed, not due to the presence of a catalyst. So a catalyst helps reach the existing balance faster without shifting it.