The formation of nitric acid, \({\text{HN}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{(aq)}}\), from nitrogen dioxide, \({\text{N}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{(g)}}\), is exothermic and is a reversible reaction.

\[{\text{4N}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{(g)}} + {{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{(g)}} + {\text{2}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{O(l)}} \rightleftharpoons {\text{4HN}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{(aq)}}\]

What is the effect of a catalyst on this reaction?

A.     It increases the yield of nitric acid.

B.     It increases the rate of the forward reaction only.

C.     It increases the equilibrium constant.

D.     It has no effect on the equilibrium position.

D