Question

Write the balanced equation for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to form water and oxygen.

Answer 1

The balanced chemical equation for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen is 2 H2O2 (aq) → 2 H2O (l) + O2 (g).

Step-by-step explanation:

The student has asked for the balanced chemical equation for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into water (H2O) and oxygen gas (O2). The reaction can be represented as follows:

2 H2O2 (aq) → 2 H2O (l) + O2 (g)

Here, the hydrogen peroxide molecules are breaking down into water molecules and oxygen gas. The equation is balanced with four hydrogens and four oxygens on both sides; therefore, adhering to the law of conservation of matter.

Answer 2

Hydrogen peroxide is H2O2, while water is H2O and oxygen (a diatomic gas) is O2. The (unbalanced) reaction is:
H2O2 --> H2O + O2
Notice that the H2O2 has 2 H atoms, and so does H2. This means that both must have the same coefficients, and we can adjust the coefficient of O2. Since H2O2 has 2 O atoms, and H2O has 1, we multiply O2 by 1/2:
H2O2 --> H2O + (1/2)O2
This has an equivalent number of H and O atoms on either side, but we want the coefficients to be whole numbers, so we multiply everything by 2:
2H2O2 --> 2H2O + O2