👉 The term "catalyst" is often used in chemistry and physics to describe an element that acts as a catalyst. A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of an chemical reaction by reducing or speeding up the rate of another chemical reaction, but it does not itself participate in the reaction. The specific role of a catalyst can vary depending on the type of reaction being carried out and the properties of the catalyst. In chemistry, catalysts are often used as tools to increase the efficiency and speed