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. table with columns: chemical element, number of atoms in the reaction; rows: h, o during this reaction, how many molecules of hydrogen peroxide (h₂o₂) react?

Explanation:

Part 1: Number of H atoms

Step1: Find H in products

Water ($H_2O$) has 2 H per molecule. 6 molecules of $H_2O$: $6\times2 = 12$ H atoms.

Step2: H atoms in reaction

Since reaction is balanced, H in reactants (H₂O₂) equals H in products. So H atoms: 12.

Part 2: Number of O atoms

Step1: O in $O_2$

3 molecules of $O_2$: $3\times2 = 6$ O atoms.

Step2: O in $H_2O$

6 molecules of $H_2O$: $6\times1 = 6$ O atoms.

Step3: Total O atoms

Sum O from $O_2$ and $H_2O$: $6 + 6 = 12$ O atoms.

Part 3: Molecules of $H_2O_2$

Step1: H in $H_2O_2$

Each $H_2O_2$ has 2 H. Total H is 12, so $12\div2 = 6$ molecules (for H balance).

Step2: O in $H_2O_2$

Each $H_2O_2$ has 2 O. 6 molecules: $6\times2 = 12$ O, which matches total O (12). So 6 molecules.

Answer:

s:

• H atoms: 12
• O atoms: 12
• $H_2O_2$ molecules: 6