Question

hydrogen peroxide can be used to disinfect and clean surfaces around the home. it breaks down over time into oxygen gas and water. consider the following reaction: some amount of hydrogen peroxide (h₂o₂) breaks down to produce 3 molecules of oxygen (o₂) and 6 molecules of water (h₂o). complete the table below. during this reaction, how many molecules of hydrogen peroxide (h₂o₂) react?

Explanation:

Step1: Write the balanced chemical equation

The reaction is \(2H_2O_2
ightarrow 2H_2O + O_2\). But in our case, we have 3 molecules of \(O_2\) and 6 molecules of \(H_2O\). Multiply the balanced equation by 3: \(6H_2O_2
ightarrow 6H_2O+3O_2\)

Step2: Calculate the number of \(H\) atoms

In \(6H_2O\), the number of \(H\) atoms is \(6\times2 = 12\)

Step3: Calculate the number of \(O\) atoms

In \(6H_2O\) there are \(6\times1=6\) \(O\) atoms and in \(3O_2\) there are \(3\times2 = 6\) \(O\) atoms. So total \(O\) atoms \(=6 + 6=12\)

Step4: Find the number of \(H_2O_2\) molecules

From the equation \(6H_2O_2
ightarrow 6H_2O + 3O_2\), the number of \(H_2O_2\) molecules is 6

Answer:

For \(H\): 12
For \(O\): 12
Number of \(H_2O_2\) molecules: 6