[kelaklub]

The following is from a practise exam, I think the answer that has been provided is false or the question has been incorrectly worded, you can only pick one choice...

Question:
              Catalysts have which of the followwing effects on a chemical reaction?
              A) They lower the activation energy.
              B) They increase the free energy.
              c) They cause the reaction to proceed spontaneously.
              D) They increase the rate at which the product is formed.
              E) They shift the equilibrium so the reverse reaction proceeds more easily

The answer provided for this question is B, but I always thought it was A, or C. Could this be a typo? Thanks.

[mike]

I would have said A (or D).

[Borek]

I would have said A (or D).

That's two of us.

[Yggdrasil]

Make that three.

[constant thinker]

Now 4.

I hate questions that can have multiple answers. I especially hate if the real answer isn't something you though would work.

[rctrackstar2007]

The answer is A. There can only be one true answer and we all know, i assume, that a catalyst's only purpose is to lower the activation energy so the reaction can occur.

[Borek]

There can only be one true answer

Not necessarilly. Often there are several answers and each can be good or wrong. Depends how the test is built.

catalyst's only purpose is to lower the activation energy so the reaction can occur.

Look for Arrhenius equation, it will tell you what happens to the reaction rate when the activation energy gets lower.

[rctrackstar2007]

There can only be one true answer

Not necessarilly. Often there are several answers and each can be good or wrong. Depends how the test is built.

Well, being that this is an exam question, there will only be one answer that is completely correct. There may be other answers that are correct but not as best fit for the question. So, in this case, yes, there is only one answer possible.