Question

a chemist has two compounds that do not chemically react. he thinks that by finding the right catalyst, he can get them to react. why is the chemist incorrect? catalysts can only increase the rate of reaction for compounds that do react. only an inhibitor can cause two compounds to react. the activation energy of the reaction is already zero. a catalyst cannot increase the concentration of reactants.

Explanation:

Catalysts work by lowering the activation - energy barrier for reactions that are thermodynamically favorable and already have the potential to react. They do not initiate reactions between compounds that are inherently non - reactive.

Answer:

A. Catalysts can only increase the rate of reaction for compounds that do react.