Final answer:
When mixed with hydrogen peroxide, a hair bleaching powder becomes a potent lightening product, often used for achieving a "peroxide blonde" look. This reaction is facilitated by catalysts that increase the decomposition rate of hydrogen peroxide, resulting in the release of oxygen which lightens the hair.
Step-by-step explanation:
The product that comes in powder form and becomes a strong lightening product when mixed with hydrogen peroxide is typically a bleaching agent used for hair lightening or tooth whitening. Hydrogen peroxide's decomposition reaction, which breaks down to water and oxygen gas, is enhanced by the presence of a catalyst. In the case of hair bleaching, diluted hydrogen peroxide solutions are often mixed with ammonia or other alkaline agents to create the strong lightening effect known as "peroxide blonde". Moreover, catalysts such as manganese dioxide can rapidly decompose hydrogen peroxide, releasing a significant amount of oxygen as observed in controlled experiments.
Hydrogen peroxide is recognized as environmentally safe when compared to chlorine-based bleaches, which contain powerful oxidizers like hypochlorite. This is because hydrogen peroxide degrades into oxygen and water, posing no long-term environmental harm and is FDA-approved as an antimicrobial agent.
Thus, hair bleaching powders containing catalysts and mixed with hydrogen peroxide are capable of producing significant lightening effects due to the chemical reaction that produces oxygen and alters the hair's color pigments.