Effect of a Catalyst on Equilibrium
A catalyst changes how quickly equilibrium is reached but never where that equilibrium lies.
Formula / equation
K unchanged
Unit
Dimensionless
In depth
A catalyst lowers the activation energy of the forward and reverse reactions by exactly the same amount, so both rate constants rise in the same proportion and their ratio — the equilibrium constant — is unaffected. Catalysts therefore save time and energy, not raise yield.
Examples in the real world
Iron lets the Haber process reach equilibrium in seconds rather than years, at the same final composition.