Rate and Order of H2O2 Decomposition

John Q Student
Chemistry 111
Greenville Technical College
July 9, 2009
 Student 1

Rate and Order of H2O2 Decomposition Commented [GTC1]: The lab title is centered on the
top of the first page. Note 12 point time new Roman
Abstract font. Note the header on the top of the page. The
header will start on the first page of the report and
The kinetics of the decomposition of 3% hydrogen peroxide was examined. The reaction was not on the title page.

catalyzed by the addition of iodide. The volume of the oxygen produced versus time in seconds Commented [GTC2]: The abstract is a summary of the
entire report. It contains a brief statement of
was measured in order to determine the rate of the reaction The reaction was found to be first methods, results and conclusion. It should be only 3
to 4 sentences. Note each section is labeled with a left
aligned title.
order in hydrogen peroxide and first order in iodide to give a rate law of Rate = k[H2O2][I-].

Introduction Commented [GTC3]: The introduction provides a

summary of relevant background facts and theory
Hydrogen peroxide is a liquid commonly used to fight germs. Household hydrogen which can be obtained from the literature. Write the
significance of the experiment in context of the
peroxide has a 3% concentration and is available for purchase from any drug store. That means literature surveyed.
Should be 1-2 pages
Should include citations of the references included
that the solution contains 97% water and 3% hydrogen peroxide. Hair bleaches usually have a in the literature cited section.
concentration of greater than 6%. Some industrial strength solutions contain more than 10%
hydrogen perioxide.1 Commented [GTC4]: Note sources are indicated with
superscripted numbers which match the numbering in
Hydrogen peroxide will decompose to form water and oxygen gas. Reactions like these the reference section.

that are both oxidations and reductions are known as disproportionation reactions. In this case
the oxygen is both oxidized and reduced.
2 H2O2(aq)  2 H2O(l) + O2(g)
Left on its own at room temperature, this reaction happens at a slow rate. A catalyst is
added to speed up the reaction. The KI added dissociates into K+ and I-, at which point the I-
begins its work. The catalyzed reaction pathway must have a lower activation energy than the
unanalyzed decomposition. The mechanism for the catalyzed reaction is shown below.
H2O2(aq) + I-(aq)  OI-(aq) + H2O(l)

H2O2(aq) + OI-(aq)  H2O(l) + O2(g) + I-(aq)

Note that the iodide ion is not consumed in the reactions, and the same iodide ion
could potentially go through many such cycles. The definition of a catalyst is a substance that
increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the reaction.2
Hydrogen peroxide is formed as a by-product of chemical reactions within living cells.
Hydrogen peroxide is poisonous and the cells must either get rid of it or change it to something
non-poisonous. Enzymes called peroxidases wile also catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen
peroxide.
 Student 2

This kinetics laboratory will measure the rate of reaction for the decomposition of
hydrogen peroxide. The speed of the reaction is determined by the reactants being consumed or
products are being formed. This must be determined experimentally by measuring the time rate
of change in the concentration of one of the reactants or one of the products and is not simply
related to the stoichiometry of the reaction. The change of concentration can be measured by
such physical properties such as the volume of a gas or color intensity of a solution.
The rate of decomposition of hydrogen peroxide is measured with the use of an iodide
catalyst. The goal in this experiment is to deduce a rate law for the reaction, showing the
dependence of the rate on the concentrations of H2O2 and I-. The experimentally determined rate Commented [GTC5]: Make sure you utilize
superscripts and subscripts in writing chemical and
law will be of the general form: mathematical formulas.

Rate of oxygen production = k[H2O2]x[I-]y

where k is the specific rate constant and depends only on temperature. The objective is to then
determine the numerical values of the exponents x and y. In this experiment, the the rate law for
the iodide-catalyzed decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to form water and oxygen will be
determined. The effect of temperature on the reaction will also be studied.3
Purpose Commented [GTC6]: List the main purpose of the
experiment and skills to be learned.
The purpose of this experiment was to determine the rate law for the decomposition of
hydrogen peroxide catalyze by iodide and determine the effect
Procedure4 Commented [GTC7]: Describe the procedure followed
in the experiment. Provide enough information so that
Part A. Order of Reaction if someone wants to perform your experiment, it
should be possible to do so using your report. The
The apparatus for the collection of the oxygen gas was assembled as illustrated in Figure procedure should be written in the passive voice and
should not include first or second person or use the
imperative tense.
30.2 making sure the connections are snug. The trough was filled with room temperature water
and the temperature was recorded. Water was added to the buret until the water was about 10 mL
from the top with the leveling bulb was at the same height. The apparatus was checked for leaks
by lowering the bulb with the system closed.
Solution 1 was prepared by adding 10.0 mL of 0.10 M KI and 15.0 mL of distilled water
to a clean 125 mL Erlenmeyer flask. The flask was swirled carefully for a few minutes so that
the solution reached the same temperature as the through. Three percent Hydrogen peroxide (5.0
mL) was added and the flask was quickly stoppered. The flask was swirled vigorously Commented [GTC8]: Note a measured number never
begins a sentence. It is imprecise to express as words
throughout the remainder of the experiment. Volume versus time data was collected at two but a sentence never starts with a number.

milliliter increments after approximately two milliliters of gas have been produced until
 Student 3

approximately 14 milliliters of gas have been produced. Solution 2 was done the same way
except for solution 2 used 10.0 mL of 0.10 M KI, 10.0 mL of distilled water and 10.0 mL of 3%
H2O2. Solution 3 was done using 20.0 mL of 0.10 M KI, 5.0 mL of distilled water, and 5.0 mL of
H2O2.
Part B. Effect of Temperature
The solution in part B was done like solution 1 in part A except for the temperature was
increased to 33.1 oC where the solutions in part A were measured at room temperature.
Observations Commented [GTC9]: All significant observations made
should be recorded in the passive voice. Observations
Bubbles were produced by the liberation of oxygen gas that resulted from the are things like color changes, bubbling, precipitation
etc.
decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.
Data Commented [GTC10]: All data collected should be
recorded with correct number of significant figures
Part A. Order of Reaction and units and presented in table form, not in
sentences.
Bath Temperature Bath Temperature Bath Temperature Data should be in table form and not include the
results of the calculations.
o o
21.1 C 21.5 C 21.0oC
Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
5.0 mL H2O2/10.0 mL KI 10.0 mL H2O2/10.0 mL KI 5.0 mL H2O2/20.0 mL KI
Buret Vol. of Time (s) Buret Vol. of Time (s) Buret Vol. of Time (s)
reading O2 (mL) reading O2 (mL) reading O2 (mL)
(mL) (mL) (mL)
12.0 0.0 0 24.4 0.0 0 24.5 0.0 0
14.0 2.0 59 26.4 2.0 61 26.5 2.0 54
16.0 4.0 110 28.4 4.0 90 28.5 4.0 87
18.0 6.0 162 30.4 6.0 117 30.5 6.0 115
20.0 8.0 219 32.4 8.0 141 32.5 8.0 142
22.0 10.0 271 34.4 10.0 166 34.5 10.0 168
24.0 12.0 326 36.4 12.0 190 36.5 12.0 195
26.0 14.0 385 38.4 14.0 216 38.5 14.0 222
 Student 4

Part B. Effect of Temperature Commented [GTC11]: Do not cut tables in half

between pages. Note extra space has been added to
Bath Temperature 33.1 Co keep this table all on one page.

Buret Vol. of O2 Time (s)

reading (mL)
(mL)
24.2 0.0 0
26.2 2.0 29
28.2 4.0 50
30.2 6.0 70
32.2 8.0 87
34.2 10.0 105
36.2 12.0 124
38.2 14.0 142

Calculations Commented [GTC12]: It is necessary to show all the

steps in the calculations using the data from the data
Part A. Order of Reaction table. Correct significant figures and units should be
used. If a graph is required it is considered as part of
the calculation section.

Solution 1 Commented [GTC13]: Note the graph is done in

16 Microsoft excel and has a title and both axes are
labeled. Also notice that the dots so not exactly sit on
14 the line and that the trend line is not just connecting
the dots. The equation for the line and the R2 should
12 be displayed for and lab that requires a line graph.
10
mL of O2

8
6
4
y = 0.0368x - 0.0378
2 R² = 0.9997
0
-2 0 100 200 300 400 500
Time (s)
 Student 5

Solution 2
16
14
12
10
8
mL of O2

6
4
2 y = 0.068x - 1.3429
0 R² = 0.9756
-2 0 50 100 150 200 250
-4
Time (s)

Solution 3
16
14
12
10
mL of O2

8
6
4
y = 0.0655x - 1.0462
2 R² = 0.9857
0
-2 0 50 100 150 200 250
Time (s)

Summary of Rate Calculations Commented [GTC14]: Results of the calculations may

be summarized in a table, but this should be in the
Solution mL H2O2 mL KI Rate (ml O2/s) calculation section and not the data section.

1 5.0 10.0 0.0368

2 10.0 10.0 0.0680
3 5.0 20.0 0.0655
 Student 6

Order for H2O2

Rate 2 Commented [GTC15]: Equations in the calculation
 2n section should be setup using Microsoft equation
Rate 1 editor.
0.0680mL/s
 2n
0.0368mL/s
1.8  2 n
n  0.85  1
Order for I-
Rate 3
 2n
Rate 1
0.0655mL/s
 2n
0.0368mL/s
1.8  2 n
n  0.85  1
Part B. Effect of Temperature

Temperature Dependance
16
14
12
10
mL of O2

8
6
4 y = 0.1012x - 0.6764
2 R² = 0.9942
0
-2 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
Time (s)

Results and Discussion

Between solutions 1 and 2 the concentration of H2O2 doubles and the rate doubles which
means that the reaction is first order with respect to H2O2. Between solutions 1 and 3 the
concentration of I- doubles and the rate doubles which means that the reaction is first order with
respect to I-. The experimentally determined rate law for the reaction is, therefore,
Rate = k[H2O2][I-].
 Student 7

References Commented [GTC16]: There should be at least 3

references where only one is a textbook.
1. Medical Management Guidelines for Hydrogen Peroxide. Atlanta, Ga. Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry, Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine,
US Dept of Health and Human Services; 2007.
2. Bodner, G. Catalytic Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide II.
[Link] (July 8, 2009). Commented [GTC17]: Be sure web sources come from
reputable sites. Avoid sites like Wikipedia where the
3. Occidental College. Teacher Reference Pages-Kinetics Lab. content can be changed or sites where the point of
view is shaded by politics.
[Link] (July 8, 2009).
4. Nelson, J. H. and Kemp, K. C. Laboratory Experiments for Chemistry the Central
Science, 10th ed., Prentice Hall, pp. 345-357.