EnthalpyofDecompositionofH2O2 PDF

In the Laboratory
The Enthalpy of Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide W

A General Chemistry Calorimetry Experiment
Charles J. Marzzacco
Department of Physical Sciences, Rhode Island College, Providence, RI 02908-1991; [email protected]
Thermochemistry is an important topic in high school

and college introductory chemistry courses. Laboratory ex-
periments on this topic usually involve measurements of heat
of acid–base neutralizations, heat of solution, or heat of dis-
placement reactions using Styrofoam cup calorimeters (1–3).
The experiment described here involves the determination
of the enthalpy change for a simple decomposition reaction.
In its simplest form, the experiment can be performed in less
than one hour and is therefore suitable for the short labora-
tory periods that exist in many high schools. The chemicals
are inexpensive and present no disposal problems.
The experiment involves the decomposition of aqueous
H2O2 using Fe(NO3) 3 as a catalyst. Household hydrogen per-
oxide (3.0 mass %, density = 1.00 g/mL) is used as the source
of H2O2. The decomposition reaction is shown below: Figure 1. The temperature-vs-time graph for the decomposition of
H 2O2(aq). The calorimeter initially contained 50.0 mL of 0.921 M
2H2O2(aq) → 2H2O(,) + O2(g) H2O2. Ten milliliters of 0.50 M Fe(NO3)3 was added at the 5-minute
mark. The extrapolated initial and final temperatures were 21.94
It should be noted that the oxygen is initially formed as
and 39.10 °C, respectively.
O2(aq), which is then released to the atmosphere as O2(g).
During the course of the reaction, most of the oxygen pro-
duced is given off as a gas. volume of solution used. For the experimental conditions of
The molarity of the H2O2 in the solution can be calcu- this experiment, a calorimeter constant of 5 J °C{1 was ob-
lated from the mass percentage of H2O 2 in the solution. tained. A detailed procedure for the measurement of the calo-
Assuming a 3.0% concentration and a density of 1.00 g/mL, rimeter constant is given in the JCE Online Lab Documen-
the concentration of the H 2O2 is 0.88 M. For more accurate tation that accompanies this paper.W
work, the concentration of H2 O2 in the solution can be The calculations presented here are based on the results
determined by titration with standard KMnO4. shown in Figure 1. The experiment involved mixing 50.0 mL
of 0.921 M H2O2(aq) with 10.0 mL of 0.50 M Fe(NO3)3(aq).
Procedure According to the graph, the initial temperature was 21.94 °C
and the final temperature was 39.10 °C.
A thermometer covering the range of 15 to 50 °C and
The heat change for the solution is given by the formula
precise to 0.01 °C is suspended in a 6-ounce Styrofoam cup
on a magnetic stirrer in the usual way. Fifty milliliters of the qsoln = { specific heat of solution × mass of solution × (TF – TI)
household hydrogen peroxide solution and a stir bar are added = { (4.18 J g {1 °C{1)(60.0 g)(39.10 °C – 21.94 °C)
to the cup. The solution is stirred slowly and the temperature
is recorded every minute for four minutes. At the 5-minute = { 4.30 × 103 J.
mark, 10.0 mL of 0.50 M Fe(NO3)3 is added to the solution. The heat change for the calorimeter is
The temperature is again measured at the 6-minute mark and
every succeeding minute up to a total of about 20 minutes. qcalorimeter = {C(TF – TI)
The resulting time–temperature graph is shown in Figure 1. = {(5.0 J °C{1) (39.10 °C – 21.94 °C)
The initial temperature is obtained by extrapolating the five
points prior to adding the catalyst to the point of mixing. = { 86 J
The final temperature is obtained by extrapolating the linear Thus,
portion of the graph (10 to 20 minutes) to the point of mixing. qtotal = q soln + q calorimeter = {4.39 × 10 3 J
Calculations The number of moles of H2O2 reacted equals the mo-

larity times the volume of H2O2 solution:
The specific heat of the reaction mixture was taken as n = MV
4.18 J °C{1 g{1. The value for the calorimeter constant used in
this experiment was obtained from the measured temperature n = (0.921 M)(0.0500 L) = 0.0461 mol
change that occurs when a measured quantity of warm water ∆H = q/n = {9.52 × 104 J mol{1 = { 95.2 kJ mol{1
is added to a measured quantity of room-temperature water
in the calorimeter. The calorimeter constant depends on the This value agrees well with the literature value of {94.6 kJ mol{1
JChemEd.chem.wisc.edu • Vol. 76 No. 11 November 1999 • Journal of Chemical Education 1517

In the Laboratory
calculated from the enthalpies of formation of the reactant of decomposition of H2O2(aq). The following two thermo-
and products for the reaction chemical equations are used:
H2O2(aq) → H2O(,) + 1 ⁄2 O2(g) H2(g) + 1 ⁄2 O2(g) → H 2O(,) ∆H = {285.8 kJ (lit.)
H2O(,) + 2 O2(g) → H2O2(aq) ∆H = +95.2 kJ (exptl)
1⁄
Discussion
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
The experiment presented here is simple, yet gives good H2(g) + O2(g) → H2O2(aq) ∆H = {190.6 kJ
results. The chemical reaction that is investigated is colorful
and interesting. The Fe(NO 3) 3(aq) solution has a pale yellow The literature value for the enthalpy of formation of H2O2(aq)
color due to the presence of Fe(OH)(H2O) 52+. When it is is {191.2 kJ/mol.
added to the H2O2 solution, a dark amber color is produced. Note
This color is presumably due to the presence of a complex
W
between H 2O2 and Fe3+ (4). There is a rapid evolution of Supplementary materials for this article, including instructions for
bubbles of oxygen. As the reaction proceeds to completion, the students and notes for the instructor, are available on JCE Online
at http://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/Journal/issues/1999/Nov/abs1517.html.
the color of the solution slowly changes to the original pale
yellow. This clearly shows that the catalyst takes part in the Literature Cited
mechanism of the reaction but is not used up.
1. Brouwer, H. J. Chem. Educ. 1991, 68, A178.
This experiment can be extended to include measure- 2. Wentworth, R. A. D. Experiments in General Chemistry, 2nd ed.;
ment of the enthalpy of formation of H2O2(aq). This is done Houghton Mifflin: Boston, 1990; p 76.
by combining the literature value for the enthalpy of forma- 3. Harms, G. S.; Lehman, T. A. J. Chem. Educ. 1993, 70, 955.
tion of H2O(,) with this experimental value for the enthalpy 4. Gopinath, E.; Bruice, T. C. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1991, 113, 4657.
1518 Journal of Chemical Education • Vol. 76 No. 11 November 1999 • JChemEd.chem.wisc.edu

EnthalpyofDecompositionofH2O2 PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

EnthalpyofDecompositionofH2O2 PDF

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

EnthalpyofDecompositionofH2O2 PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

In the Laboratory

The Enthalpy of Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide W

Thermochemistry is an important topic in high school

Calculations The number of moles of H2O2 reacted equals the mo-

JChemEd.chem.wisc.edu • Vol. 76 No. 11 November 1999 • Journal of Chemical Education 1517

1518 Journal of Chemical Education • Vol. 76 No. 11 November 1999 • JChemEd.chem.wisc.edu

You might also like