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Lab#: 8

Date: 10/2/23

Title: Decomposition
Problem: You went to the hairdresser and noticed that the hydrogen peroxide was being
stored in the refrigerator. Suggest a hypothesis for the storage of the Hydrogen
peroxide and plan and design an experiment to test your hypothesis.
Hypothesis: The rate of thermal decomposition H2O2 is speed up when the H2O2 is exposed
to light and high temperatures. The rate of reaction can be measured a using a
graph of the volume of oxygen produced in the reaction against time while the
mass on the catalyst remains constant. Lower temperature slow down the rate
of decomposition, hence hydrogen peroxide is best stored in the fridge.
Aim: To determine the effect of temperature on the rate of thermal decomposition of
hydrogen peroxide.
Apparatus/ Materials: Ice 30% H2O2 Conical flask
Stop watch Spatula Thermometer
Test tubes Hot water bath Safe cube ( Styrofoam)
Measuring cylinder Ice water bath Square glass container
Distilled water Magnesium (IV) oxide Boiling stones
Procedure:
Procedure to Set Up the Hot Water Bath
1. Fill the the square container an appropriate amount of distilled water
along with a few boiling stones.
2. Place the square container on the hot plate.
3. Turn on the hot plate and set it at the desired temperature.
4. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature change of the water.
5. Once the water reaches the desired temperature, continue the experiment.

Procedure to Set Up the Cold Water Bath

1. Fill the square cube with distilled water.
2. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature of water.
3. Add ice cubes to achieves the desired temperature.

Procedure for the Decomposition of H2O2

1. Support a gas syringe with a stand, boss and clamp.

2. Use a measuring cylinder to add 50 cm3 of dilute 30% hydrogen peroxide
to a conical flask.
3. Add 0.5 g of magnesium (IV) oxide to the flask using a spatul .
Immediately connect the gas syringe and start a stop clock.
4. Every 10 seconds, record the volume of gas produced.
5. When the reaction is complete, clean the apparatus.
6. Repeat steps 1 to 5 at different temperatures in the old and hot water baths.
7. Repeat the entire procedure thrice.
8. Plot graphs of volume against time and volume against rate (1/t).
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Diagram of Apparatus:

Variables:
Controlled: Concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide
Volume of Hydrogen peroxide used
Amount of Manganese (IV) Oxide used

Manipulated: Temperature

Respoding: Time taken for Hydrogen Peroxide to decompose

Volume of Oxygen produced

Data Collection and Table showing the Volume of Oxygen Produced at Different Temperatures
Treatment:
Temperature Time (s) Volume of gas Rate of
(℃) Produced decomposition

60
40
20
10
0
-10
-20
-40

For each temperature, plot a graph to show:

 volume of gas (cm3) on the vertical axis

 time (s) on the horizontal axis
 draw a curve of best fit

2. For each temperature, calculate the mean rate of reaction until the reaction
stops:

Interpretation: 3. Describe the effect of increasing the concentration of acid on the mean rate
of reaction. Use your graphs and calculations in step 2 to help you.
Interpretation (cont):
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When exposed to sunlight or higher temperatures, hydrogen peroxide
tends to decompose more quickly as compared to not being exposed to sunlight
and being exposed to lower temperatures.In these condition hydrogen
peroxide will decompose to give oxygen atom on each molecule giving water
and oxygen gas due to it unstable O-O bond. This is a decomposition reaction
since one reactant ( hydrogen peroxide) is being broken down into two
products ( water and oxygen ). 2H2O(aq) H2O (l) + O2 (g)
Consequently hydrogen peroxide is usually store in cool and dark
environment ( refrigerator) and in an dark bottle to limit the access of UV
radiation on the hydrogen peroxide.Hydrogen peroxide solutions (3-30%) are
used for bleaching (eg: hair) and for wound cleaning .Its value as an antiseptic
is low but the evolution of oxygen when it comes into contact clotted blood
helps to loosen dirt and assists in cleansing the wound.
Since hydrogen peroxide is a colourless liquid the rate of this reaction will be
measured by the amount of oxygen produced. This decomposition reaction can
be catalyzed by magnesium (IV) oxide which produces rapid effervesce when
it comes in contact with hydrogen peroxide.
The rate of reaction of this reaction can be measured by plotting a
graph of the volume of oxygen produced against time. The rate of reaction of
hydrogen peroxide at any point on the curve can be given by calculating the
gradient of the line drawn tangentially to that point on the cure. A stepper
gradient represents a faster rate of reaction whereas a less steep gradient
represents a slower rate of reaction.

It is expected that the rate of thermal decomposition will increase as

temperature increase ( in the hot water bath) and decrease as temperature
decreases ( in the ice water bath),

Conclusion: Reply to the aim

State why its best to store hydrogen peroxide in the fridge.

Reflection : State how the experiment may be improved

State of the importance of knowing the rate of decomposition

Sources of Error: 1. Different volumes of hydrogen peroxide was placed in the test tube.
2. While the mass remains constant if the particle size of the catalyst differs
the rate of reaction while be affected.

Precautions: 1. Ensure that each test tube contains an equivalent volume of hydrogen
peroxide.
2. Ensure that the particles size of the catalyst remains the same in all
reactions.