What happens to the equilibrium constant when a catalyst is added to the reaction mixture.

A. Increase
B. Decrease
C. Does not change
D. Varies
E. None of the above
I chose c

c is correct.

When a catalyst is added to a reaction mixture, it does not change the value of the equilibrium constant (Option C). The equilibrium constant, denoted by K, is a constant value at a given temperature and pressure that characterizes the ratio of products to reactants at equilibrium. Catalysts do not affect the position of equilibrium or the concentrations of reactants and products at equilibrium. Instead, catalysts increase the rate of the forward and reverse reactions equally, allowing the system to reach equilibrium faster but without affecting the equilibrium concentrations.

When a catalyst is added to a reaction mixture, it does not change the equilibrium constant (Option C).

Explaination:

The equilibrium constant, denoted as K, is a measure of the ratio of the concentrations of products to reactants at equilibrium for a given chemical reaction. It is determined by the stoichiometry of the reaction and the temperature.

A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction by providing an alternative reaction pathway with lower activation energy. It does not affect the position of the equilibrium or the concentrations of reactants and products at equilibrium. A catalyst only speeds up both the forward and backward reactions equally, allowing the system to reach equilibrium faster.

Since the equilibrium constant is solely determined by the concentrations of products and reactants at equilibrium, adding a catalyst does not change these concentrations. Therefore, the equilibrium constant remains the same when a catalyst is added to the reaction mixture.

Hence, the correct answer is C. Does not change.