Catalysts
Definition
Catalysts are substances that speed up chemical reactions but remain unchanged themselves after the reaction has occurred.
Analogy
Imagine you're trying to get your friends to go to a party with you. You're like a catalyst - you help get things going faster (the party starts sooner because everyone's there), but at the end of it all, you're still just you - unchanged by getting everyone together.
Related terms
Enzymes: These are biological catalysts which speed up biochemical reactions in living organisms without being used up or altered permanently.
Activation Energy: The minimum amount of energy required for a chemical reaction to occur. Catalysts work by lowering this activation energy barrier.
Inhibitor: A substance that slows down or prevents a particular chemical reaction, opposite to how catalysts work.
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