Question

Assertion: In homogeneous catalysis, the catalyst enhances the rate of reaction by providing an alternative path of lower activation energy.

Reason: The catalyst combines with a reactant to form an unstable intermediate compound.

Options

• If both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.

• If both Assertion and Reason are correct but Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.

• If Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect.

• If Assertion is incorrect but Reason is correct.

Answer 1

If both Assertion and Reason are correct but Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.

Explanation:

In homogeneous catalysis, the catalyst does enhance the rate of reaction by providing an alternative path of lower activation energy. The catalyst may combine with a reactant to form an intermediate compound. However, the key reason for rate enhancement is the alternative lower energy pathway, not specifically the formation of the unstable intermediate compound. Hence, the reason is correct, but it does not fully explain the assertion.