Definitions
- A substance used in a chemical reaction to detect, measure, or produce other substances. - A chemical substance that is added to a system to cause a chemical reaction. - A substance that is used to identify or test for the presence of another substance.
- A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process. - A chemical agent that speeds up a reaction by lowering the activation energy required. - A substance that initiates or accelerates a process or event.
List of Similarities
- 1Both are substances used in chemical reactions.
- 2Both can increase the rate of a chemical reaction.
- 3Both can be added to a system to initiate or accelerate a process.
- 4Both can be used in laboratory experiments.
What is the difference?
- 1Function: Reagents are used to detect, measure, or produce other substances, while catalysts are used to increase the rate of a chemical reaction.
- 2Consumption: Reagents can be consumed in a chemical reaction, while catalysts are not consumed and can be reused.
- 3Activation energy: Reagents do not affect the activation energy required for a reaction, while catalysts lower the activation energy needed for a reaction to occur.
- 4Types: Reagents can be organic or inorganic, while catalysts are typically inorganic.
- 5Role: Reagents play a supporting role in a chemical reaction, while catalysts play a more active role in increasing the reaction rate.
Remember this!
Reagent and catalyst are both substances used in chemical reactions, but they have different functions and roles. A reagent is a substance used to detect, measure, or produce other substances, while a catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction by lowering the activation energy required. Additionally, reagents can be consumed in a reaction, while catalysts are not consumed and can be reused.
