Glossary

Catalyst

A catalyst is a substance that increases the speed of a chemical reaction without being consumed by the reaction. For example, nitric oxide (NO) is a catalyst in the breakdown of ozone (O₃) in the upper atmosphere. An oxygen atom (O) will react with an ozone molecule form two oxygen molecules (O₂), but at a very slow rate. However, in the presence of nitric oxide, ozone is quickly broken down with the following series of steps:

Step 1 - An oxygen atom combines with a molecule of nitric oxide, forming a molecule of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂):

O + NO → NO₂

Step 2 - A molecule of nitrogen dioxide combines with a molecule of ozone, forming two molecules of oxygen and a molecule of nitric oxide:

NO₂ + O₃ → 2O₂ + NO

Although the molecule of nitric oxide participates in the reaction, it is not consumed by it and is available for additional reactions.