Final answer:
The ratio of water to peroxide in a 60% strength peroxide solution is 2:3. To determine this, we recognize that 60% represents the hydrogen peroxide and the remaining 40% is water by mass, simplifying the mass ratio of water to peroxide.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the ratio of water to peroxide in a 60% strength peroxide solution, you first understand that 60% of the solution is peroxide (H₂O₂) and the remaining 40% is water (H₂O). This percentage is by mass, so for every 100 grams of solution, there are 60 grams of peroxide and 40 grams of water. Therefore, the ratio can be represented by the mass of water divided by the mass of peroxide. The ratio is 40:60, which simplifies to 2:3 when you divide both sides by 20.
For instance, if you have 6.00 kg of a 3.00% hydrogen peroxide solution, the mass of hydrogen peroxide needed is calculated as 3.00% of 6000 grams (6.00 kg). Therefore, the mass of H₂O₂ required is 180 grams (0.03 × 6000 g).