Statement I is: Catalytic hydrogenation is highest when the catalyst remains in the powdered form.

Statement II is: When a catalyst is in the powdered form, its surface area becomes highest.

In option 1, it states that both statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I. This means that both statements are factual and that Statement II provides a logical explanation for Statement I.

To analyze this, we need to understand the concept of catalytic hydrogenation. Catalytic hydrogenation is a chemical reaction that involves the addition of hydrogen to a compound in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst increases the rate of the reaction by providing an alternative reaction pathway with lower activation energy.

Statement I suggests that catalytic hydrogenation is highest when the catalyst remains in the powdered form. This is true because the powdered form of a catalyst has a larger surface area compared to other forms, such as pellets or spheres. The larger surface area allows for more active sites for the reaction to occur, resulting in higher catalytic activity.

Statement II explains why the powdered form of a catalyst has a higher surface area. When a catalyst is in the powdered form, it consists of tiny particles with high surface-to-volume ratios. This means that a larger portion of the catalyst is exposed to