Question

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how does a catalyst work? options: by decreasing the pressure of a chemical reaction; by decreasing the activation energy of a reaction; by increasing the temperature of a chemical reaction; by increasing the concentration of reactants in a reaction

Explanation:

A catalyst works by providing an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy, which speeds up the reaction. Decreasing pressure, increasing temperature, or increasing reactant concentration are not the mechanisms of a catalyst (pressure/temperature/concentration changes affect reaction rate through collision frequency or energy, not activation energy like a catalyst). The option "by decreasing the activation energy of a reaction" correctly describes how a catalyst functions.

Answer:

by decreasing the activation energy of a reaction