Question

In a report to a supervisor, a chemist described an experiment in the following way: "0.0800 mol of H2O2 decomposed into 0.0800 mol of H2O and 0.0400 mol of O2." Express the chemistry and stoichiometry of this reaction by a conventional chemical equation. Do not include physical states. Use the smallest possible whole number coefficients.

Answer 1

The chemical equation representing the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen gas is 2 H2O2 → 2 H2O + O2. This represents a stoichiometric relationship with a 2:1 ratio of hydrogen peroxide to oxygen and a 1:1 ratio of hydrogen peroxide to water.

Step-by-step explanation:

The stoichiometry of the chemical reaction where hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) decomposes into water (H2O) and oxygen gas (O2) can be expressed by the following balanced chemical equation:

2 H2O2 → 2 H2O + O2

According to the equation given by the student, 0.0800 mol of H2O2 decomposes to produce 0.0800 mol of H2O and 0.0400 mol of O2. However, based on stoichiometric coefficients, we should expect a 1:1 ratio between H2O2 and H2O, and a 2:1 ratio between H2O2 and O2. Therefore, the decomposition of 0.0800 mol H2O2 should yield 0.0400 mol O2 according to the equation, which aligns with what was provided by the chemist.

Answer 2

H2O2 → H2O + 1/2O2

Step-by-step explanation:

0.0800 mol of H2O2 decomposed into 0.0800 mol of H2O and 0.0400 mol of O2

H2O2 → H2O + 1/2O2 - Descomposition reaction.