Question

the reaction shown below is used living organisms to create heat and energy. it is an exothermic reaction. an engineer thinks that by finding the correct catalyst, he can reduce the amount of energy needed to start the reaction. will his plan have the desired effect? why or why not? c₆h₁₂o₆(s) + o₂(g) → co₂(g) + h₂o(l)
yes, because the reaction is already exothermic, so any added reactants will lower the amount of energy released
yes, because the catalyst can speed up the reaction by lowering the activation energy.
no, because catalysts always increase the amount of energy released by reactions.
no, because catalysts do not affect the rate of reaction, only how much energy is released.

Explanation:

Catalysts work by providing an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy, which speeds up the reaction rate. They do not affect the amount of energy released in an exothermic reaction. In this case, the engineer's plan to reduce the energy needed to start the reaction by finding a catalyst will work because catalysts lower activation energy.

Answer:

Yes, because the catalyst can speed up the reaction by lowering the activation energy.