Which of the following best describes the function of a catalyst in a reversible reaction?

A catalyst serves to increase the rate of a chemical reaction without undergoing any permanent change itself. In the context of reversible reactions, a catalyst will lower the activation energy for both the forward and reverse reactions. This means that it enhances the rate at which the reactants convert to products and vice versa. By doing so, the catalyst allows the system to reach equilibrium more quickly without favoring one direction over the other. Consequently, both the forward and reverse reactions are sped up equally, maintaining the balance necessary for the system at equilibrium.

Understanding this role emphasizes that catalysts do not change the equilibrium position; they simply make the process of reaching equilibrium faster. Hence, the correct description of a catalyst’s function in a reversible reaction is that it accelerates both the forward and reverse reactions equally.