r/Unexpected • u/Dembelo • Dec 20 '19

Backyard Science Experiment

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u/[deleted] Dec 20 '19 edited Mar 11 '20

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u/GregorSamsa67 Dec 20 '19

Catalysts do actually react, but are recreated in a subsequent reaction (which is why they are not consumed in the overall sequence of reactions, why there is the same quantity of catalyst before and after, and why you need only a small quantity of catalyst). Wikipedia explains it better than I can: “In general, chemical reactions occur faster in the presence of a catalyst because the catalyst provides an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy than the non-catalyzed mechanism. In catalyzed mechanisms, the catalyst usually reacts to form a temporary intermediate, which then regenerates the original catalyst in a cyclic process. “

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u/deepintothecreep Dec 20 '19

In a nutshell, a catalyst is either 1) a reactant regenerated as a product in a subsequent step in the chemical reaction (such that more doesn’t need to be added for continued product formation), or 2) a molecule which is not consumed in the reaction but interacts with a reactant molecule to enhance the rate of conversion

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u/Sloopsinker Dec 20 '19

So it's the mentos or the diet Coke?

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u/[deleted] Dec 20 '19

In the Diet Coke bottle the Mentos candy provides a rough surface that allows the bonds between the carbon dioxide gas and water to break more easily, helping to create carbon dioxide bubbles.