Pronunciation: [kˈatɐlˌɪst] (IPA) 
The word "catalyst" is spelled with a "c" instead of a "k" due to its Greek origin, where the "k" sound is represented by the letter "κ" (kappa) and the "s" sound by the letter "σ" (sigma). In English, the "c" in "catalyst" is pronounced as /k/ while the following "a" is pronounced as /æ/. The stress falls on the second syllable, making the phonetic transcription of "catalyst" /ˈkætəlɪst/.
A catalyst is a substance that facilitates or speeds up a chemical reaction without undergoing any permanent change itself. It acts by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur, thereby increasing the rate of the reaction. Catalysts are crucial in various fields, including chemistry, biology, and industry, as they enable the production of desired products while minimizing energy consumption and waste generation.
In chemical reactions, catalysts work by providing an alternative reaction pathway with a lower energy barrier. They accomplish this by either lowering the energy required for the breaking of chemical bonds or by stabilizing transitional states during the reaction. Catalysts enhance reaction rates by enabling more collision chances between reactant molecules, reducing the need for specific conditions like high temperatures or pressure.
Furthermore, catalysts are often classified into two types: homogeneous and heterogeneous. Homogeneous catalysts are in the same phase as the reactants, while heterogeneous catalysts are in a different phase. Homogeneous catalysts typically involve liquid or gaseous reactions, whereas heterogeneous catalysts often involve solid-gas or solid-liquid reactions.
Apart from chemical reactions, catalysts also play a critical role in biological systems. Enzymes, which are biological catalysts, accelerate biochemical reactions within living organisms. Enzymes facilitate digestion, metabolism, and synthesis of various molecules by lowering the activation energy needed for these processes.
In summary, a catalyst is a substance that accelerates chemical reactions by providing an alternative reaction pathway with a lower energy barrier. It enables the production of desired products, reduces energy consumption, and is utilized in various fields to promote efficient and sustainable processes.
An agent which induces catalysis, a catalyzer.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "catalyst" has its origins in the Greek language. It is derived from the Greek word "katalytēs", which means "one who loosens". The term was first used in its chemical sense by the Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius in 1836. The prefix "cata-" means "down" or "alongside", and "lysis" means "to loosen" or "to break apart". Hence, the term "catalyst" refers to a substance that facilitates or speeds up a chemical reaction by allowing the reaction to occur more easily without being consumed or permanently altered itself.
