Which of the following statements about catalysts is false?

• A. A catalyst changes the equilibrium position of a chemical reaction.
• B. A catalyst lowers the activation energy required for a reaction to occur.
• C. A catalyst increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.
• D. A catalyst can be used repeatedly in multiple reaction cycles.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of a catalyst in a chemical reaction: a catalyst provides an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy, which increases the reaction rate.
2. Recall that a catalyst does not change the thermodynamics of the reaction, meaning it does not affect the equilibrium position or the equilibrium constant of the reaction.
3. Analyze each statement: the statement claiming that a catalyst changes the equilibrium position is false because catalysts only speed up the approach to equilibrium but do not shift it.
4. Confirm that the other statements are true: catalysts lower activation energy, increase reaction rate without being consumed, and can be reused in multiple cycles.
5. Conclude that the false statement is the one asserting that a catalyst changes the equilibrium position of a chemical reaction.