Name

Period

Date

Lab 12: Determination of the Rate of the

Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide
Driving Question
How does a catalyst affect the rate at which hydrogen peroxide decomposes?

Background
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in aqueous solution decomposes very slowly under ordinary conditions.
The equation for the decomposition is
2H2O2 2H2O O2

(1)

A catalyst such as potassium iodide, manganese dioxide, or catalase enzyme may be used to
increase the rate of reaction. Conducting a catalyzed decomposition of H2O2 in a closed vessel
enables the determination of the reaction rate based on the pressure increase from the
production of oxygen gas. Each H2O2 molecule yields one O2 molecule; therefore, the rate at which
H2O2 disappears is the same rate at which O2 is formed:

[H2O2 ]
[O2 ]

t
t

Because the concentration of oxygen is proportional to its pressure, we can calculate the rate at
which H2O2 decomposes by monitoring the rate of increase of the pressure due to the formation of
oxygen. By varying the initial molar concentration of H2O2 solution, the rate law for the reaction
can be determined.
There are two steps involved in the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide with potassium iodide as
the catalyst:
H 2 O2 I OI H2O
2OI O2 2I
The first reaction determines the rate, that is, it goes much slower than the second reaction. The
rate of the rate-determining reaction is calculated as follows:

[H2O2 ]
k1 [H2O2 ]m [I ]n
t

(2)

where
k1 = the rate constant of the first reaction
m = the order of I in the first reaction

Lab 12: Determination of the Rate of the Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide

n = the order of H2O2 in the first reaction
In this experiment, we determine n and m, as well as k1.
As O2 is a gas, it makes more sense to work with the number of moles than with concentration to
obtain the concentration of H2O2. For Equation 1,

nO2
1 nH2O2

2 t
t

While we cannot measure the change of number of moles of O2, using the ideal gas law we can
calculate it from the change of pressure, which we can measure:

1nH2O2
V

2 t
RT

p
t

where
V = the volume that the O2 can occupy (m3)
R = the gas constant (J/mol K)
T = the temperature inside the flask (K)
p = the partial pressure of the O2 generated by the reactions (Pa)
Now we can return to calculating the change of concentration for H2O2 as well:
Vs [H2O2 ] nH2O2
Vs [H2O2 ] nH2O2

Vs [H2O2 ]
V p

2
t
RT

where
Vs = volume of the solution
We can rearrange the formula to get the rate of the reaction:
[H2O2 ]
2
V
p

t
Vs RT t
Substituting this into Equation 2, we can calculate the rate constant:
2
V
p
k1[H2O2 ]m [I ]n
Vs RT t

Student Inquiry Worksheet

k1

2
V

[H2O2 ] [I ] Vs RT t
m

(3)

To determine the order of the reactants, n and m, the reactions are performed according to the
following table.
Table1: Concentration ratios between the two reactants

Reaction

Conc. of H2O2

Conc. of I

[H2O2]

[I]

[H2O2]

2[I]

2[H2O2]

[I]

Determining the rate for reactions 1 and 2:

Rate1 k1 [H2 O2 ]m [I ]n

Rate2 k1 [H2 O2 ]m 2[I ]

The ratio of the two rates yields

k1 [H2O2 ]m 2[I ]
Rate2

Rate1
k1 [H2O2 ]m [I ]n

Rate2
2n
Rate1
Rate2
n
ln 2
Rate1

ln

Rate2
n ln 2
Rate1

ln

Rate2

Rate1

ln

ln 2

Using the same argument to derive m from reactions 1 and 3:

Rate3

Rate1

ln

ln 2

Lab 12: Determination of the Rate of the Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide

The values of the order of the reactants, m and n, then will be used to determine k 1, using
Equation 3.

Pre-Lab Activity
Setting the stage for the activity
You will perform the three reactions described above and monitor the change of pressure. This
allows the respective rates to be calculated. From this calculation the rate constant of the rate
determining step k1 can be calculated. To calculate n and m, it is not necessary to calculate the
actual rates because both n and m depend only on the ratio of the rates. Therefore, the ratio of
the slopes of the pressure versus time graph is sufficient to determine n and m.

Example calculation to try

A commercially available 3% hydrogen peroxide solution was analyzed. After mixing the
potassium iodide and hydrogen peroxide solutions, the volume of the solution Vs was 60.0 mL.
The volume V that the O2 gas could occupy was 242 mL, and the reaction temperature T was
carried out at 303 K. Table 2 shows the results.
Table 2: Results of the 3 reactions

[H2O2]

[I]

p/t

Reaction

(M)

(M)

(Pa/s)

0.147

0.0250

29.3

0.294

0.0250

60.6

0.147

0.0500

61.6

The following calculations determine n and m:

6.06 10 2
2.93 102

ln
n

ln(2)

1.050 1

6.16 10 2
2.93 102

1.070 1
ln(2)

ln
m

Both n and m must be integers; the closest integer for each is 1.

Now we can calculate the rate constant. For instance, we can use reaction 1:

Student Inquiry Worksheet

k1

2 2.42 104 m3

29.3

mol
mol
Nm

0.147 L 0.0250 L 0.0600L 8.314 mol K (303K)

k1 2.55 102

m2 s

1
Ms

(4)

1. Why is the unit for the volume of the solution inserted as L instead of m 3, the SI
unit for volume?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
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___________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Why do both n and m have to be rounded to the closest integer, in this case 1?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Materials and Equipment

For each student or group:
Data collection system

Stopper with two holes for the Erlenmeyer flask

Absolute pressure sensor with quick-release

Beaker, 50-mL

connectors and plastic tubing

Glycerin, several drops

Stainless steel temperature sensor

0.1000 M Potassium iodine (KI), 60 mL

Sensor extension cable

3% Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), 40 mL

Beaker (3), 100-mL

Water, deionized, 100 mL

Erlenmeyer flask, 250-mL

Electrical tape, 60 in. (optional)

Graduated pipet (3), 25-mL with rubber bulb

Safety
Follow all standard laboratory procedures.

Lab 12: Determination of the Rate of the Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide

Sequencing Challenge
The steps below are part of the Procedure for this lab activity. They are not in the right order. Determine
the proper order and write numbers in the circles that put the steps in the correct sequence.

Add the H2O2

solution quickly to
the solution in the
Erlenmeyer flask.

Perform the
reaction two more
times with
different H2O2
and KI
concentrations.

Set up the data

collection system.
Pipet the specified
amount of KI
solution and water
into a flask and the
specified amount
of H2O2 into a
small beaker.

Calculate the rate

constant of the
limiting reaction.

Monitor the
pressure until it
stabilizes.

Immediately plug
the flask with a
stopper with a
pressure sensor
and temperature
sensor.

Procedure
After you complete a step (or answer a question), place a check mark in the box () next to that step.
Note: When you see the symbol "" with a superscripted number following a step, refer to the numbered Tech
Tips listed in the Tech Tips appendix that corresponds to your PASCO data collection system. There you will find
detailed technical instructions for performing that step. Your teacher will provide you with a copy of the
instructions for these operations.

Set Up
1. Start a new experiment on the data collection system.

(1.2)

2. Place the barbed connector of the pressure sensor tightly into the rubber stopper and
connect it to the pressure port of the sensor with a piece of tubing. If necessary, add a
drop of glycerin onto the end of the connector that goes into the hole in the rubber
stopper.

Student Inquiry Worksheet

2 hole stopper

1-2 cm tubing

Barbed
connector

Quick release
connector

3. Insert the temperature sensor into the other

hole in the rubber stopper. If necessary, add a
drop of glycerin.
4. If electrical tape is available, wrap the
Erlenmeyer flask with 10 to 15 rounds of
electric tape. This is a preventive measure in
case the flask cracks. The tape keeps the
glass pieces together.
5. Connect the absolute pressure sensor to the
data collection system using a sensor
extension cable. (2.2)
6. Display Pressure on the y-axis with Time on the x-axis. (7.1.1)

Collect Data
Table 3: Reactant amounts to use for the three reactions

Reaction

3% H2O2 (mL)

0.1 M KI (mL)

Water (mL)

10.00

15.00

35.00

20.00

15.00

25.00

10.00

30.00

20.00

7. Perform each of the three reactions, using the measured amounts given in Table 3,
according the steps listed below.
a. With graduated pipets, measure and transfer the water and potassium iodide
solution into the 250-mL Erlenmeyer flask.
b. With a graduated pipet, measure and transfer the prescribed amount of H 2O2
solution into the 50-mL beaker.
c. Pour the H2O2 solution into the Erlenmeyer flask and immediately insert the rubber
stopper into the flask.

Lab 12: Determination of the Rate of the Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide

Important: Make sure that the stopper is sitting firmly in the flask. Pressure is building in the flask and a
loose stopper might pop out. If that happens, you will need to repeat the experiment.

d. Start recording data. (6.2)

e. Continue to record the data for three minutes. Gently shake the Erlenmeyer flask
constantly during data collection. Hold the stopper firmly during the experiment.
f.

Why do you think it is necessary to shake the solution (Hint: what is the product of
the reaction)?

___________________________________________________________________________________________
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g. Stop recording data. (6.2)
Note: The initial portion of the pressure versus time graph is not straight, which is attributed to the fact
that the reaction does not begin immediately.

8. Display the three data runs on a graph.

(7.1.3)

9. Print the graph. (11.2)

10. Save your experiment and clean up according to your teacher's instructions.

(11.1)

Data Analysis
1. Convert the percent by mass concentration to molarity for the different volumes of H 2O2.
Record the values in Table 4.

2. Find the slope of the best-fit line for each data run on the Absolute Pressure versus Time
graph and enter the value below. (9.6) Record the values in Table 4 using the appropriate
units.
Slope1 (kPa/s):
Slope2 (kPa/s):
Slope3 (kPa/s):

Student Inquiry Worksheet

3. Calculate the order of the two reactants from the respective rates.

4. Calculate the rate constants, using Equation 3, by substituting your respective

experimental data (refer to Equation 4 as an example). Record the values in Table 4 and
determine the average value of k1.

Table 4: Experimental data and data analysis

Reaction

[H2O2]
(M)

[I]

(M)

k1

p/t
(Pa/s)

(M1s1)

1
2
3
Average k1:

Lab 12: Determination of the Rate of the Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide

5. Sketch or attach the graph showing the curves and specifying the slopes of the three
reactions.

Analysis Questions
1. Why can we use the rate of change of pressure directly instead of the rate of
change of concentration to calculate n and m?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
2. What might the reason be if the pressure starts to decrease instead of increase?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Did the temperature increase? Why or why not?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

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Student Inquiry Worksheet

4. As you probably observed, the initial portion of the graphs may have curved a little
due to the fact that there is an induction time for this reaction. Did that introduce any
error into your measurement?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Based on the values of n and m, what is the overall order of the reaction?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Synthesis Questions
Use available resources to help you answer the following questions.

1. How would the slope for the second reaction have changed (when we doubled the
concentration of I), if n were 2?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
2. How would the slope have changed if n were 2 and we doubled both the I and H2O2
concentrations?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
3. If you check the equations for the two consecutive reaction steps, you will notice
that the I ions are recovered and not consumed in the reaction. How is that possible?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
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Lab 12: Determination of the Rate of the Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide

Multiple Choice Questions
Select the best answer or completion to each of the questions or incomplete statements below.

1. The order of H2O2 in the reaction is:

A. The slope of the pressure versus time graph.
B. 1
C. 2
D. The value of the rate constant, k1
2. The rate constant of the decomposition was determined from:
A. The concentration of the reactants.
B. The ratio of the slopes of the pressure versus time graphs.
C. The slope of the pressure versus time graph.
D. The temperature versus time graph.
3. Since n or m, or both, probably did not come out to be an integer, which of the
following statements is correct regarding this fact?
A. There is an experimental error.
B. You must round to the nearest integer.
C. Both were determined experimentally.
D. All three statements are correct.

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