Go to top . Catalysts Understandings and Fundamental Concepts Catalysts change the activation energy required and thus change the rate of reaction. A catalyst does not initiate a chemical reaction. Supplementary Information A catalyst changes the mechanism of a reaction to one involving less activation energy, but does not change the overall process. Go to top .
Most reactions are reversible.
Supplementary Information Equilibrium is dynamic and only describes the overall appearance of the system. It does not describe the activity of individual particles. The word dynamic implies motion, and dynamic equilibrium is that condition in which the interaction of the particles of the reactants in one direction is balanced-by the interaction of the particles of the products in the opposite direction. Although the reaction rates for the opposing reactions are equal, a state of equilibrium may exist in which the quantities of reactants and products are not equal. Thus equilibrium may be reached when only a small quantity of the products has been formed or when only a small quantity of reactants remains.