Question

Hydrogen peroxide is stored in a dark, opaque container because, at room temperature, it spontaneously forms water and oxygen in the presence of light. Even if exposure to light is minimal, hydrogen peroxide will break down over time, giving it a limited shelf life.

a. What can you infer about the relative thermodynamic and kinetic stability of hydrogen peroxide?

A. Hydrogen peroxide is thermodynamically stable but kinetically unstable.
B. Hydrogen peroxide is both thermodynamically and kinetically unstable.
C. Hydrogen peroxide is thermodynamically unstable but kinetically stable.
D. Hydrogen peroxide is both thermodynamically and kinetically stable.

Answer 1

Hydrogen peroxide is thermodynamically unstable but kinetically stable, as it decomposes into water and oxygen over time but does so slowly at room temperature without light or a catalyst.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the information provided about hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) breakdown and storage, we can infer about its thermodynamic and kinetic stability. The fact that hydrogen peroxide decomposes into water and oxygen over time, even in the absence of light, suggests that it is thermodynamically unstable; it tends toward a more stable state consisting of its decomposition products.

However, since this decomposition occurs slowly at room temperature and requires the presence of light or a catalyst to proceed at a significant rate, hydrogen peroxide can be considered kinetically stable in the absence of these factors. Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is C. Hydrogen peroxide is thermodynamically unstable but kinetically stable.