A student wrote the following explanation about the working of a catalyst.
"When ethene reacts with hydrogen to from ethane, the molecules of the two gases must collide. Nickel catalyes the reaction by lowering the activation energy of the collision reaction between the reactiing molecules". Is there any error regarding the understanding by the student about the working of the catalyst?

Explanation

Yes, the approach of the student is not correct. In fact, the catlyst does not lower the activation energy of the collision reaction. It provides an alternate route for the reaction be making available a larger surface area over which the reactants are initially adsorbed and then react suitably. The alternate path involves less activation energy leading to increased reaction rate.