Question

which statement best describes how a catalyst can speed up a chemical reaction?
○ the catalyst decreases the activation energy needed.
○ the catalyst increases the concentration of products.
○ the catalyst binds to enzymes to release substrates.
○ the catalyst increases the concentration of reactants.

Explanation:

A catalyst speeds up a chemical reaction by providing an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy. It does not increase the concentration of reactants or products, nor does it bind to enzymes to release substrates (enzymes are a type of catalyst, and this description is incorrect for how a general catalyst works). So the correct statement is that the catalyst decreases the activation energy needed.

Answer:

The catalyst decreases the activation energy needed.