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Describe how does the enthalpy of reaction remain unchanged when a catalyst is used in the reaction?

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Catalyst doesn’t participate in the reaction but increases the speed of reaction. The “Intermediate complex formation theory” claims that the reactants combine with the catalyst to form highly active radical complex. These complex compounds then decompose to create the product and the catalyst.
The intermediate formed with catalyst possesses much lower potential energy than the intermediate formed in the normal reaction, lowering the activation energy required. The following diagram shows the impact of using the catalyst on the potential energy and thus, the activation energy.


 

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