This unit discusses in detail the role of catalysts to lower the activation energy of reactions. The term catalyst appears in nonscientific discussions to refer to something that provokes or speeds significant change or action. Consider this example from the 2006 Associated Press article "Chernobyl cover-up a catalyst for glasnost":

"For the Soviet Union, Chernobyl was a catalyst that forced the government into an unprecedented show of openness that paved the way for reforms leading to the Soviet collapse"

Discuss how this scientific term has made its way into common usage. Does the term catalyst carry the same meaning in regular usage? How is it used differently in a scientific context compared to a nonscientific contexte

It can be brought into regular conversation easily I feel it means to "provoke" or "speeds significant change or action" I can see someone saying that in a conversation, "chlorine acts as a catalyst promoting the breakdown of ozone".

I would say it would take the same meaning depending on how you say it and when and what the context of what you're saying it in.

For scientists, it means to change quickly. For someone who says it in a conversation may be saying to stop provoking someone.

Explanation: