Transition Metals as Catalysts Flashcards

1️⃣ Familiarise yourself with the flashcards:

  • Look through all the flashcards to see what's on both sides.
  • Make sure you understand the information on each card. If something's unclear, click the link to the revision notes at the bottom of the page for more details.

2️⃣ Test yourself:

  • Look at the question or prompt on each card and try to remember the answer before flipping it over.
  • Check the answer and make a note of any cards you find challenging and need to go over more.

3️⃣ Consistently Review and Practice:

  • Use spaced repetition: spend more time on the cards you struggle with and go over them more often.
  • Regularly review all the flashcards to help you better understand and retain the information over time.

Note: We may include questions that have multiple correct answers. It's useful to remember specific examples to understand these concepts better.

PERSONALISED 1-TO-1 TUTORING

Need more help on this topic? Get 1-to-1 support

Get support with clear explanations, practice and feedback (Ages 5 to 16).

  • DBS-checked tutors
  • Flexible times
  • Parents can be updated

Want an ad-free experience? Subscribe to remove ads

What is a catalyst?

A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being used up.

Why are transition metals often used as catalysts?

Transition metals are often used as catalysts because they speed up reactions and do not get used up, so a small amount can be used many times.

Which transition metal is used as a catalyst in the Haber process to make ammonia?

Iron is used as a catalyst in the Haber process to make ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen.

Which transition metal compound is used as a catalyst in the Contact process to make sulfuric acid?

Vanadium(V) oxide, V2O5, is used as a catalyst in the Contact process to make sulfuric acid.

Which transition metal is used as a catalyst to harden vegetable oils into margarine?

Nickel is used as a catalyst to react hydrogen with vegetable oils in a process called hydrogenation, which makes margarine.

Which transition metal compound is used as a catalyst to speed up the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide?

Manganese dioxide, MnO2, is used as a catalyst to speed up the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.

Does a transition metal catalyst get used up during a reaction?

No, a transition metal catalyst does not get used up during a reaction and can be used again.

How can using a transition metal catalyst help an industry save money?

A transition metal catalyst can allow a reaction to happen faster at lower temperature or pressure, so less energy is needed and costs are lower.

Why is only a small amount of a transition metal catalyst needed in a reaction?

Only a small amount is needed because the catalyst is not used up and each catalyst particle can help many reacting particles change into products.

Can both transition metal elements and their compounds act as catalysts? Give one example of each.

Yes. An element example is iron used in the Haber process. A compound example is vanadium(V) oxide used in the Contact process.