The catalyst can change the journey without changing the destination ratio — Physical Science: Chemistry

Two selected reversible systems start from the same inventory and temperature. One produces B faster early on, but both approach the same final composition. This supports a kinetic difference rather than a change in the selected equilibrium constant. A catalyst can provide another pathway while affecting both directions consistently; it does not change the same reaction’s equilibrium merely by lowering a barrier.

A rate is a change per time with a defined species and coefficient normalization. Use comparable initial-rate trials to infer concentration exponents; a balanced reaction does not generally supply them. Temperature changes an energy distribution, so a higher-temperature curve can have a lower peak and a larger high-energy fraction without fewer total particles.

At equilibrium the opposing rates are equal, not necessarily the concentrations. Compare Q and K under the same reaction convention to predict net adjustment. Adding material, changing volume and changing temperature are different interventions; inert gas at fixed volume is different from compression. Any algebraic equilibrium root must also satisfy nonnegative concentrations and the available atom inventory.