Which outcome results when a catalyst with low activation energy lowers the surface energy in a chemical reaction?

💡 Explanation

When a catalyst with low activation energy lowers the surface energy, heterogeneous catalysis accelerates because the reaction proceeds via the most energetically favorable pathway, significantly increasing the rate of product formation until mass transport limits are reached. Therefore the reaction rate reaches the diffusion limit, rather than unfavorable product, poisoning, or temperature independence requiring specific equilibrium shifts.

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