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:

Δ[H2O2 ] Δ[O2 ]
- =
Δt Δt

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 rate­determining reaction is calculated as follows:

Δ[H2 O2 ]
- = k1[H2O2 ]m [I- ]n
Δt (2)

where

k1 = the rate constant of the first reaction

m = the order of I– in the first reaction

n = the order of H2O2 in the first reaction

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

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,

1 ΔnH2O2 ΔnO2
- =
2Δ t Δ 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:

1ΔΔnH2O2 V p
- =
2Δ t RT
Δ 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 ( Δ[H2O2 ]) = ΔnH2O2

Vs Δ[H2O2 ] V Δp
- =
2Δ t RT
Δ t

where

Vs = volume of the solution

We can rearrange the formula to get the rate of the reaction:

Δ[H2O2 ] 2ΔV p
= -
Δt Vs RT Δt

Substituting this into Equation 2, we can calculate the rate constant:

2ΔV p
= k1[H2O2 ]m [I- ]n
Vs RT Δt

2ΔV p
k1 =
[H2O2 ]m [I- ]n Vs RT Δt (3)

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 Student Inquiry Worksheet

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–

1 [H2O2] [I–]

2 [H2O2] 2[I–]

3 2[H2O2] [I–]

Determining the rate for reactions 1 and 2:

Rate1 = k1 [H2 O2 ]m [I- ]n

( )
n
Rate2 = k1 [H2 O2 ]m 2[I- ]

The ratio of the two rates yields

( )
n
Rate2 k1 [H2O2 ]m 2[I- ]
=
Rate1 k1[H2O2 ]m [I- ]n

Rate2
= 2n
Rate1

�Rate2 � n
ln � �= ln 2
�Rate1 �

�Rate2 �
ln � �= n ln 2
�Rate1 �
�Rate2 �
ln � �
n = �Rate1 �
ln 2

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

�Rate3 �
ln � �
�Rate1 �
m =
ln 2

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

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

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) n m

1 0.147 0.0250 29.3

2 0.294 0.0250 60.6 1 1

3 0.147 0.0500 61.6

The following calculations determine n and m:

�6.06 �10 -2 �
ln � �
�2.93 �10-2 �
n = � � = 1.050 �1
ln(2)

�6.16 �10 -2 �
ln � �
�2.93 �10-2 �
m = � � = 1.070 �1
ln(2)

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:

( 2) ( 2.42 �10-4 m3 ) � N �
k1 = 29.3 2 �
�
� mol �
� mol � � Nm � � m s�
0.147
� L ��
�0.0250
L �
(
� 0.0600L ) �
8.314 (303K) �
�
mol K �
�
� � �
1
k1 = 2.55 �10-2
Ms
(4)

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 Student Inquiry Worksheet

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?

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Materials and Equipment

For each student or group:

 Data collection system
 Absolute pressure sensor with quick-release
connectors and plastic tubing
 Stainless steel temperature sensor
 Sensor extension cable
 Beaker (3), 100-mL
 Erlenmeyer flask, 250-mL
 Graduated pipet (3), 25-mL with rubber bulb
 Stopper with two holes for the Erlenmeyer flask
 Beaker, 50-mL
 Glycerin, several drops
 0.1000 M Potassium iodine (KI), 60 mL
 3% Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), 40 mL
 Water, deionized, 100 mL
 Electrical tape, 60 in. (optional)

Safety
Follow all standard laboratory procedures.

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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 Perform the Calculate the rate Monitor the
solution quickly to reaction two more constant of the pressure until it
the solution in the times with limiting reaction. stabilizes.
Erlenmeyer flask. different H2O2
and KI
concentrations.

   

Set up the data Immediately plug

collection system. the flask with a
Pipet the specified stopper with a
amount of KI pressure sensor
solution and water and temperature
into a flask and the sensor.
specified amount
of H2O2 into a
small beaker.

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.

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 Student Inquiry Worksheet

2 hole stopper

Barbed
1-2 cm tubing 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 y­axis with Time on the x­axis. �(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)

1 10.00 15.00 35.00

2 20.00 15.00 25.00

3 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 250­mL Erlenmeyer flask. 

b. With a graduated pipet, measure and transfer the prescribed amount of H 2O2 
solution into the 50­mL beaker.

c. Pour the H2O2 solution into the Erlenmeyer flask and immediately insert the rubber 
stopper into the flask. 

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.

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

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):

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

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 Student Inquiry Worksheet

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

[H2O2] [I–]  ∆p/∆t k1

Reaction  (M) (M) (Pa/s) n m (M–1s–1)

Average k1:

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

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

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?

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2. What might the reason be if the pressure starts to decrease instead of increase?

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3. Did the temperature increase? Why or why not?

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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?

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5. Based on the values of n and m, what is the overall order of the reaction?

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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?

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 Student Inquiry Worksheet

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2. How would the slope have changed if n were 2 and we doubled both the I– and H2O2
concentrations?

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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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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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