Question

hydrogen peroxide (h₂o₂) can be used to disinfect and clean surfaces around the home. it breaks down over time into oxygen gas (o₂) and water (h₂o). which model accurately represents this reaction?

Explanation:

Step1: Write the balanced chemical equation

The decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (\(H_2O_2\)) is \(2H_2O_2
ightarrow O_2 + 2H_2O\).

Step2: Count the atoms

• Reactants: \(4\) H atoms and \(4\) O atoms.
• Products: In \(O_2\) there are \(2\) O atoms, and in \(2H_2O\) there are \(4\) H atoms and \(2\) O atoms. Total \(4\) H and \(4\) O atoms.

Answer:

The first model (the top - most model among the given options) is correct as it has the correct number of \(H\) and \(O\) atoms on both sides of the reaction (based on the balanced equation \(2H_2O_2
ightarrow O_2 + 2H_2O\)).