Question

Which is larger Peroxide or Superoxide?

Answer 1

Peroxide and Superoxide:

1. The formula of Peroxide is ${\mathrm{O}}_2^{2-}$.
2. The $\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{O}$ group is also known as the peroxide or peroxo group.
3. The oxidation state of the oxygen atoms in the peroxide ion is -1.
4. The formula of Superoxide is ${\mathrm{O}}_2^{1-}$.
5. Superoxides are oxygen-containing molecules with an oxidation number of -1/2.

Size:

1. Superoxide has a greater molecular weight than peroxide.
2. This is because peroxide is made up of a single oxygen-oxygen bond, whereas superoxide is made up of an anion.

Hence, Superoxide is larger than Peroxide.