Question

Balanced equation: ___ H2O2(L) → ____ H2O(L) + ____ O2(g)

Answer 1

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

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to balancing a chemical equation, specifically the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen gas. To balance this chemical equation, we need to ensure that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation, which reflects the law of conservation of matter.

Starting with the provided unbalanced equation:

H2O2(aq) → O2(g) + H2O(l)

We identify there are two hydrogens and two oxygens on the reactant side, but only two hydrogens and one oxygen on the product side. By placing a coefficient of "2" in front of H2O on the product side, we can balance the oxygens. Now we have the balanced equation:

2 H2O2(aq) → O2(g) + 2 H2O(l)

Here, we have four hydrogen atoms and four oxygen atoms on both the reactant and product sides, thus satisfying the law of conservation of matter.