Question

With the help of a labelled diagram, describe the preparation of oxygen in the laboratory. Provide the balances equation

Answer 1

• The most convenient method for the preparation of oxygen in the laboratory is the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.
• Hydrogen peroxide decomposes into water and oxygen by adding manganese dioxide.
• Manganese dioxide acts as a catalyst. A catalyst is a substance that alters the rate of a reaction without undergoing any change in chemical composition.
• Manganese dioxide initiates and speeds up the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to release oxygen. The equation is
  
• $$\begin{gathered} 2{\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\stackrel{{\mathrm{MnO}}_2}{\to }2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right) \\ \mathrm{Hydrogen}\mathrm{water}\mathrm{Oxygen} \\ \mathrm{peroxide} \end{gathered}$$