The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Re: Hydrogen peroxide and reeds

Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-04-29 19:34

Chemistry 201:
"Di" is a prefix meaning "two." Thus water, H2O, can be called dihydrogen oxide, as it has two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. "Per" is a prefix meaning "for (each)." Hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, is a compound which has one hydrogen atom for each oxygen atom. Every H2O2 molecule is inherently unstable because it consists of two ions with the same electrical charge (negatively charged HO- hydroxide ions). The H2O2 molecule easily separates into those two hydroxide ions. A hydroxide ion will randomly dissociate, separating into one hydrogen ion (H+) and one oxygen ion (O--). The free hydrogen ion will then combine rapidly with a hydroxide ion to form an electrically neutral, hence more stable water molecule. The O-- ion is electrically repelled by and thus does not attach to any other free O-- ion to form an oxygen molecule, so it leaves the liquid solution as gaseous nascent oxygen. Because of this constant degradation of the H2O2, a water solution with a certain percentage of H2O2 will become weaker as time passes.

The O-- ions are very effective bleaching agents, as they combine with almost anything to oxidize it. For this same reason, O-- is toxic to almost any living thing. While this toxicity readily kills bacteria and other small organisms, it will only destroy nearby cells in a larger creature. Thus, dilute solutions can be used without extreme risk. But do be careful with it.

Regards,
John

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics

Author

Date

Hydrogen peroxide and reeds new

krawfish3x

2003-04-28 18:33