Hydrogen peroxide, Hoz, is common in many households and is used as a bleaching agent. It usually comes in a dark, opaque bottle. When exposed to heat or light, hydrogen peroxide will decompose according to the reaction:

2H2O2--->2H2O+O2

Iron Nitrate has been shown to be an effective catalyst to accelerate the decomposition process and sodium phosphate can inhibit the effects of this catalytic effect.

Naturally, the consumer does not want their hydrogen peroxide to decompose Consider the factors affecting reaction rate that you learned about in this lesson. What should the consumer should do to prevent the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide? For example, should the hydrogen peroxide be stored in a warm or cool location? Use scientific reasoning to support your response

1) hydrogen peroxide should be stored in dark bottles away from light

2) hydrogen peroxide should be stored in a cool place.

3) Drops of sodium phosphate may be added to inhibit its catalytic decomposition

Explanation:

Hydrogen peroxide is known to dissociate according to the equation;

2H2O2--->2H2O+O2.

This decomposition is facilitated by the following factors;

1) heat

2) light

3) presence of trace amounts of a catalyst

This implies that, if the user stores the hydrogen peroxide in a dark bottle, away from sunlight. It decreases its chances of decomposition.

Similarly, if the hydrogen peroxide bottle is stored in a cool environment, it is not decomposed by heat.

Lastly, drops of an inhibitor such as sodium phosphate may be added to inhibit the effect of any catalyst that may have mistakenly contaminated the hydrogen peroxide sample.