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Catalysts Lower Activation Energy Without Being Consumed

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A catalyst speeds a reaction by providing a lower-activation-energy pathway, and though it takes part in the mechanism, it is regenerated unchanged.

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Nitric oxide catalyzes ozone decomposition, reacting in an early step and reappearing as a product later, never consumed overall.

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A catalyst inside a mechanism's steps is easy to mistake for a reactant — check whether it reappears unchanged.