catalyst
Significado: A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed; figuratively, a person or event that provokes significant change.
In chemistry, catalysts work by lowering the activation energy required for a reaction. Enzymes are biological catalysts essential for life. The figurative use is extremely common in academic and media writing, where events, individuals, or policies are described as catalysts for change, growth, or conflict. The verb form is 'catalyse' (British spelling). Common collocations include 'catalyst for change,' 'act as a catalyst,' and 'catalytic converter.'
Ejemplos
- The financial crisis acted as a catalyst for sweeping regulatory reform across the banking sector. 金融危机成为银行业全面监管改革的催化剂。La crisis financiera actuó como catalizador de una reforma reguladora integral en el sector bancario.金融危機は、銀行セクター全体にわたる包括的な規制改革の触媒となった。금융 위기는 은행 부문 전반에 걸친 대대적인 규제 개혁의 촉매제가 되었다.
- Platinum serves as a catalyst in the chemical reaction, speeding up the process without being consumed. 铂在化学反应中充当催化剂,在不被消耗的情况下加速反应过程。El platino actúa como catalizador en la reacción química, acelerando el proceso sin consumirse.白金は化学反応において触媒として機能し、消費されることなくプロセスを加速する。백금은 화학 반응에서 촉매로 작용하여, 소모되지 않으면서 과정을 가속시킨다.
- The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the catalyst that triggered the First World War. 弗朗茨·费迪南大公的遇刺是引发第一次世界大战的催化剂。El asesinato del archiduque Francisco Fernando fue el catalizador que desencadenó la Primera Guerra Mundial.フランツ・フェルディナント大公の暗殺は、第一次世界大戦を引き起こした触媒であった。프란츠 페르디난트 대공의 암살은 제1차 세계대전을 촉발한 촉매였다.
Pronunciación
Guía de uso
Contexto: academic, professional, media
Tono: neutral
Origen e historia
From Greek katalysis (dissolution), from katalyein (to dissolve), composed of kata- (down) + lyein (to loosen, release). The chemical term was introduced by the Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius in 1835.
Contexto cultural
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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