The decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2 (aq)) is proposed to follow a reaction mechanism of: Step 1: H2O2 (aq) + Br - (aq) →H2O (l) + BrO - (aq) Step 2: BrO - (aq) + H2O2 (aq) →H2O (l) + O2 (g) + Br - (aq) What is the catalyst, and what is the effect of having a catalyst present? Question 15 options: 1) Br - is the catalyst, and the reaction follows a faster pathway with Br - than without. 2) BrO - is the catalyst, and the reaction follows a faster pathway with BrO - than without. 3) Br - is the catalyst, and the reaction follows a slower pathway with Br - than without. 4) BrO - is the catalyst, and the reaction follows a slower pathway with BrO - than without.

Question

Chemistry

Shayla Harding

21 June, 08:28

The decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2 (aq)) is proposed to follow a reaction mechanism of: Step 1: H2O2 (aq) + Br - (aq) →H2O (l) + BrO - (aq) Step 2: BrO - (aq) + H2O2 (aq) →H2O (l) + O2 (g) + Br - (aq) What is the catalyst, and what is the effect of having a catalyst present? Question 15 options: 1) Br - is the catalyst, and the reaction follows a faster pathway with Br - than without. 2) BrO - is the catalyst, and the reaction follows a faster pathway with BrO - than without. 3) Br - is the catalyst, and the reaction follows a slower pathway with Br - than without. 4) BrO - is the catalyst, and the reaction follows a slower pathway with BrO - than without.

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Answers (1)

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Chaim Mendoza · Answer 1

Option (1) Br - is the catalyst, and the reaction follows a faster pathway with Br - than without

Explanation:

Let us consider the equation below:

Step 1:

H2O2 (aq) + Br - (aq) → H2O (l) + BrO - (aq)

Step 2:

BrO - (aq) + H2O2 (aq) → H2O (l) + O2 (g) + Br - (aq)

From the above equation, we can see that Br - is unchanged.

This implies that Br - is the catalyst as catalyst does not take part in a chemical reaction but they create an alternate pathway to lower the activation energy in order for the reaction to proceed at a much faster rate to arrive at the products.