Question

how does a catalyst influence a chemical reaction? it speeds up or slows down a chemical reaction by direct participation. it reacts with products to increase the concentration of reactants. it decreases the amount of energy necessary for the reaction to proceed. it increases the total amount of products formed.

Explanation:

A catalyst lowers the activation - energy of a chemical reaction, which is the amount of energy necessary for the reaction to proceed. It does not participate directly in the reaction in a way that is consumed or permanently changed, nor does it react with products to change reactant concentrations or increase the total amount of products formed. It only speeds up the reaction rate by providing an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation - energy.

Answer:

It decreases the amount of energy necessary for the reaction to proceed.