question_answer 100)

  How does a solid catalyst enhance the rate of combination of gaseous molecules?

Answer:

                    When gaseous molecules come in contact with. the surface of a solid catalyst, a weak chemical bond is formed between the surface (catalyst) molecules and reactant (gas) molecules. Thus, concentration of reactant molecules increases at the surface. The rate of reaction increases by adsorption of different molecules side by side facilitating the chemical reaction. Adsorption, being exothermic also help in increasing the rate of reaction (chemisorption increases with rise in temperature).