CATALYSIS Meaning and
Definition
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Catalysis is a process in which a substance, known as a catalyst, speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction without itself being consumed or undergoing any permanent change. It acts by lowering the activation energy – the minimum energy required for a chemical reaction to occur – thereby facilitating the conversion of reactants into products. The catalyst achieves this by providing an alternative reaction pathway that has a lower activation energy, making it easier for the reactant molecules to collide and react with each other.
Catalysis plays a crucial role in various industries and biological systems. In industrial applications, catalysts are used to increase the efficiency and selectivity of chemical reactions, thereby reducing energy consumption and production costs. They are commonly employed in processes such as petroleum refining, pharmaceutical synthesis, and environmental remediation. In biological systems, enzymes serve as catalysts, enabling vital biochemical reactions to occur under mild conditions and within a narrow range of pH and temperature.
The concept of catalysis was first introduced by Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius in the early 19th century. Since then, extensive research and advancements have been made in understanding the principles and mechanisms of catalysis. These studies have paved the way for the development of new catalysts and the optimization of existing ones, leading to significant improvements in chemical processes and technological advancements in various fields.
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Chemical decomposition induced by the presence of a body which either takes no part in the reaction or is restored to its original state at the end of the process.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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In chem., a term used to designate certain phenomena, in which changes in the composition of substances are effected by the action of one body on another by contact.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for CATALYSIS
Etymology of CATALYSIS
The word "catalysis" is derived from the Greek term "katalusis" (κατάλυσις), which means "dissolution" or "decomposition". It comes from the verb "kataluo" (καταλύω), which means "to dissolve" or "to bring down". The term was first coined in 1836 by the Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius to describe the process by which a substance accelerates a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.
Similar spelling words for CATALYSIS
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