Question
Hydrogen peroxide can be used to disinfect and clean surfaces around the home. It brea down over time into oxygen gas and water. Consider the following reaction: Some amount of hydrogen peroxide (mathrm(H)_(2) mathrm(O)_(2)) reacts to produce 1 molecule of oxygen and 2 molecules of water (mathrm(H)_(2) mathrm(O)) . Use the number of atoms in the reaction to answer the question below. Chemical element & Number of atoms in the reaction mathrm(H) & 4 mathrm(O) & 4 During this reaction, how many molecules of hydrogen peroxide (mathrm(H)_(2) mathrm(O)_(2)) react? square
Answer
4
(285 Votes)
Lorelei
Elite · Tutor for 8 years
Answer
Let's analyze the chemical reaction step by step.We are given that the reaction produces 1 molecule of oxygen gas \(\left(\mathrm{O}_{2}\right)\) and 2 molecules of water \(\left(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\right)\). We also have the number of atoms for each element that are involved in the reaction.First, let's consider the oxygen atoms. One molecule of oxygen gas \(\left(\mathrm{O}_{2}\right)\) contains 2 oxygen atoms. Two molecules of water \(\left(2 \times \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\right)\) contain a total of 2 oxygen atoms (since each water molecule contains one oxygen atom). Therefore, the total number of oxygen atoms in the products is
.Now, let's consider the hydrogen atoms. Two molecules of water \(\left(2 \times \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\right)\) contain a total of 4 hydrogen atoms (since each water molecule contains two hydrogen atoms).According to the table provided, we have 4 hydrogen atoms and 4 oxygen atoms in the reaction.Each molecule of hydrogen peroxide \(\left(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{2}\right)\) contains 2 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms. To get 4 hydrogen atoms, we need 2 molecules of hydrogen peroxide \(\left(2 \times 2 = 4\right)\). Similarly, to get 4 oxygen atoms, we also need 2 molecules of hydrogen peroxide \(\left(2 \times 2 = 4\right)\).Therefore, to satisfy both the hydrogen and oxygen atom counts, we need 2 molecules of hydrogen peroxide to react.**Answer**: 2 molecules of hydrogen peroxide \(\left(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{2}\right)\) react.**Explanation**: The reaction requires 2 molecules of hydrogen peroxide to provide the necessary 4 hydrogen atoms and 4 oxygen atoms to produce 1 molecule of oxygen gas and 2 molecules of water, ensuring the law of conservation of mass is upheld.