Which statement about catalysts in equilibrium is true?

In the context of chemical equilibrium, the role of catalysts is essential yet distinct. Catalysts are substances that speed up the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process. They achieve this by providing an alternative pathway with a lower activation energy for the reaction.

The crucial point to understand is that while catalysts increase the rate at which equilibrium is reached, they do not shift the position of the equilibrium itself. This means that the concentrations of reactants and products at equilibrium remain unchanged when a catalyst is introduced. Therefore, the statement that catalysts do not affect overall energy changes accurately reflects their role in equilibrium reactions. The enthalpy change of the reaction remains constant regardless of the presence of a catalyst.

In summary, while catalysts facilitate a faster approach to equilibrium, they do not influence the final ratios of reactants and products or the energy profile of the reaction. They simply allow the system to reach the equilibrium state more quickly.