Which outcome occurs when a catalyst contaminant decreases the activation energy of an exothermic reaction?

💡 Explanation

When the activation energy decreases from a contaminant, the Arrhenius equation dictates that the reaction rate increases exponentially which creates positive feedback loop foran exothermic reaction. Therefore a runaway reaction with rapidly rising temperature, rather than decreased yield, reactants preference, or consuming substance results.

• Which outcome occurs when a Josephson junction connecting two superconductors has a thin insulating barrier?
• Which risk increases when molten salt fast reactors encounter significant overheating?
• Which risk increases when a transformer core is repeatedly exposed to high alternating magnetic fields?
• Which outcome occurs when exceeding critical current in NbTi?
• Which outcome is triggered when increasing gate voltage decreases energy band bending near a MOSFET's surface?
• Which mechanism causes increased redshift from objects near blackholes?