Common Misconceptions

⚠️ Common Misconceptions

Misconception 1: "A catalyst is used up in the reaction"

A catalyst is not consumed. It provides an alternative pathway with lower activation energy and is reformed at the end of the reaction. This is why the same catalyst can speed up millions of reactions — it is not destroyed. Industrial catalysts (like iron in the Haber process) need replacing eventually due to physical wear, not chemical consumption.

Misconception 2: "Increasing temperature gives particles more energy, so more collide"

This is partially right but incomplete. Temperature affects rate in two ways: (1) more kinetic energy so more collisions, and (2) crucially, more particles now have energy above the activation energy. Exam questions award marks for both points. Simply saying "particles move faster" only earns partial credit.

Misconception 3: "Surface area changes the amount of product formed"

Increasing surface area only affects rate — how fast the reaction proceeds. The total amount of product formed depends on the moles of reactants, not their surface area. A powdered marble chip reacts faster with acid than a large lump, but both produce the same total amount of CO₂ if the same mass is used.