Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
Checklist
After studying Chapter 7 you should know and understand the
following terms.
•
Activation energy
The excess energy that the reactants
must acquire to permit the reaction to occur.
•
Catalyst
A substance which alters the rate of a chemical
reaction without itself being chemically changed.
•
Catalytic converter
A device for converting dangerous
exhaust gases from cars into less harmful emissions. For
example, carbon monoxide gas is converted to carbon
dioxide gas.
•
Enzymes
Protein molecules produced in living cells.
They act as biological catalysts and are specific to certain
reactions. They operate only within narrow temperature and
pH ranges.
•
Reaction rate
A measure of the change which happens
during a reaction in a single unit of time. It may be affected
by the following factors:
•
surface area of the reactants
•
concentration of the reactants
•
the temperature at which the reaction is carried out
•
light
•
use of a catalyst.
