A catalyst is a chemical that changes the rate of a chemical reaction, but does not become part of the product. A catalyst is called an enzyme if it is part of a chemical reaction within a living organism.
Some catalyst cause different chemicals t
o combine, while other catalyst cause chemicals to break apart.
Discover For Yourself
Using a 2-by-8-inch (5-by-20-cm) strip of paper and two large paper clips, you can model the action of a catalyst. This model will demonstrate how an enzyme (the paper strip) combines two chemicals (the paper clips).
Fold the paper strip in three parts as shown. Look at the diagram carefully. Note that the spotted paper clip on the left is clipped on the first two layers of the folded paper. The black paper clip on the right is clipped on the second and third layers of the folded paper.
Caution: Wear eye protection. The paper clips tend to fly out if the paper is pulled quickly.
Hold the two ends of the folded paper and pull the ends in opposite directions until the paper is stretched out.
Summation: The movement of the paper results in the paper clips being joined.
The folded paper represents a catalyst which increases the possibility that two chemicals (colored paper clips) will combine. The combined paper clips represent a new chemical product. The catalyst is actively involved in the chemical combination (combination of the paper clips) but the catalyst (paper) is not a reactant or part of the product. The catalyst can be used over and over again.
Enzymes are catalyst in living organisms. For more information, see ENZYMES.
For more information about enzymes, see Janice VanCleave’s Food and Nutrition for Every Kid.
Page Reference
VanCleave, Janice. “Catalyst Model.”
Enzymes. 01 August 2010.
http://scienceprojectideasforkids.com/2010/catalyst/
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