How does a catalyst increase the rate of a reaction?

A) It decreases the enthalpy change of the reaction.

B) It lowers the potential energy of the reactants.

C) It provides a lower activation energy for the reaction.

D) It raises the potential energy of the products.

C) It provides a lower activation energy for the reaction is the correct answer.

Explanation:

A catalyst increases the rate of the chemical reaction by lowering the activation energy for a reaction. Catalyst is used to increase the reaction rate, it remains unchanged in the chemical reaction and it does not change the equilibrium constant. Activation energy is a minimum amount of energy required to initiate the reaction.