Oxygen and Reaction

Observations:

Part I: Reaction between iron and oxygen

Appearance of steel wool after 20 minutes From (relatively) shiny metal strips to not-so-shiny strips that are stained with dark, reddish-brown stuff.

Part II: Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide

Appearance of potato and hydrogen peroxide combination: Lots of white, foamy bubbles around the potato slices.

Day 2

Observations:

Part III: Reaction between zinc and acetic acid

Appearance of penny in vinegar after 30 minutes: Pretty dark coloured. Quite hard to see Lincoln’s head or the Memorial.

Part IV: Reaction between baking soda and vinegar

Description of what happened when the baking soda and vinegar were combined Immediately began foaming up and overflowing from the bowl. I also made a ziploc bag explode too.

Questions and conclusions:

Part I: Reaction between iron and oxygen

1. Write a balanced equation for the reaction between iron and oxygen.

4Fe + 3O2 —> 2Fe2O3

2. Classify the reaction that occurred between the iron and oxygen. Apply this reaction to a real-world situation.

It’s oxidation. Oxygen oxidizes from Fe to Fe3+. As for a real-world situation, well, rusting is a real-world application.

Part II: Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide

1. Write the balanced equation for the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide.

2H2O2 —> 2H2O + O2

2. Write a balanced equation for another decomposition reaction.

Decomposition for copper carbonate: CuCO3 → CuO + CO2

Part III: Reaction between zinc and acetic acid

1. Write the balanced equation for the reaction between zinc and acetic acid.

Zn(s) + 2CH3COOH(aq) —> Zn(OOCCH3)2(aq) + H2(g)

2. Classify the reaction between zinc and acetic acid and explain, in general terms, what happens during this type of reaction.

The reaction that’s happening is a oxidation-reduction chemical reaction, also known as a single-displacement reaction. It’s when an element or an