How does a solid catalyst enhance the rate of combination of gaseous molecules?
The rate of reaction increases proportionally with an increase in concentration of reactants. The concentration of gaseous molecules increases at the surface of the catalyst on getting adsorbed. The rate of reaction increases by adsorption of different molecules side by side thus facilitating the chemical reaction. In addition, adsorption process is exothermic. Therefore, it releases energy which helps in further increasing the rate of reaction.