A catalyst is a substance that alters the rate of a chemical reaction without itself being consumed in the process. Acting as a facilitator, a catalyst lowers the activation energy required for a reaction to occur, thus speeding up the reaction by increasing the chances of molecular collisions. It provides an alternative reaction pathway with a lower energy barrier, enabling the reactant molecules to more easily reach the transition state and ultimately the product.
A catalyst can exist in various forms, such as solids, liquids, or gases, and typically interacts with the reactants at the molecular level. Substances that act as catalysts are often selectively reactive towards particular reactants, enabling them to regulate or favor specific reactions. The process by which a catalyst works is known as catalysis.
A catalysor, on the other hand, denotes an agent or entity that serves as a catalyst. It is a broader term that encompasses not only chemical substances but also biological entities, such as enzymes. Furthermore, a catalysor can also allude to an external factor or condition that initiates or expedites a reaction or process, beyond the realm of chemicals or biochemistry.
In summary, a catalysor is the catalyst itself, or any component or factor that initiates, accelerates, or modifies a chemical or biological reaction, enhancing the efficiency and speed of the process without undergoing any permanent alteration.
