General Catalyst Knowledge
What is a catalyst?
This is the term for a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being used up.
This device in cars uses catalysts to turn harmful gases into harmless ones.
Animals like turtles often mistake plastic bags for this type of sea creature, causing choking and death.
A jellyfish
Water vapor cools and turns back into tiny liquid droplets to form clouds.
Condensation
Name a naturally occurring enzyme that acts as a catalyst in your body.
catalase, amylase
Name one metal used as catalysts in catalytic converters
platinum, palladium, and rhodium
Only a small percentage of global plastic is recycled. The rest usually ends up in these two major places.
Oceans and Landfills
Water falls from clouds as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
Precipitation
What are enzymes?
These biological molecules act as catalysts in living organisms, speeding up reactions like digestion.
Name one way catalysts help make water safer for humans and ecosystems.
By breaking down harmful chemicals or removing pollutants.
Using catalysts, we can turn trash into
Compost, reusable material or energy
The sun provides the energy needed for which water cycle stage?
Evaporation
What is catalase? and where is it found in the human body?
Speeds up the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. This enzyme is present in the liver and blood.
This greenhouse gas is released when fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gasoline are burned. It traps heat in the atmosphere and contributes to climate change.
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
This process turns organic kitchen waste into nutrient-rich soil, reducing the amount of garbage sent to landfills.
Composting
The process where plants release water vapor from their leaves.
Transpiration
Explain why catalysts are important for sustainability.
They speed up reactions efficiently, reduce waste, save energy, and help clean the environment.
Explain how catalysts make renewable energy more efficient and environmentally friendly.
By speeding up chemical reactions to produce energy with less waste and carbon emissions.
How can catalysts help reduce the environmental impact of landfills?
By breaking down waste faster and recycling materials?
What is an aquifer?
The underground layer of rock and soil that stores groundwater.