Substance X is converted to substance Y in a chemical reaction. What role would a catalyst play in this scenario?
A.
It would increase the solubility of substance X into the solvent needed to speed up the reaction.
B.
It would speed up the reaction by becoming part of the products.
C.
It would increase the pH in order to dissolve substance X to make the reaction happen.
D.
It would speed up the reaction without changing or becoming part of the produc
D. It would speed up the reaction without changing or becoming part of the products.
A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process. In the scenario given, a catalyst would facilitate the conversion of substance X to substance Y by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur. The catalyst would remain unchanged at the end of the reaction, allowing it to be used again in subsequent reactions.