A reaction is shown below.

[tex]\[ 2 H_2 O_2(l) \xrightarrow{MnO_2(s)} 2 H_2 O(l) + O_2(g) \][/tex]

What can be concluded about this reaction?

A. A homogeneous catalyst is being used in the reaction.
B. A heterogeneous catalyst is being used in the reaction.
C. A catalyst is not being used in this reaction.
D. An enzyme is being used in this reaction.



Answer :

To determine the nature of the catalyst used in the reaction:

1. Understand the Reaction Details:

The reaction given is:
[tex]\[ 2 \text{H}_2\text{O}_2(\text{l}) \xrightarrow{\text{MnO}_2(\text{s})} 2 \text{H}_2\text{O}(\text{l}) + \text{O}_2(\text{g}) \][/tex]

2. Identify the Phases of Reactants and Products:

- [tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{O}_2\)[/tex] (hydrogen peroxide) is in the liquid phase ([tex]\(\text{l}\)[/tex]).
- [tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)[/tex] (water) is in the liquid phase ([tex]\(\text{l}\)[/tex]).
- [tex]\(\text{O}_2\)[/tex] (oxygen) is in the gas phase ([tex]\(\text{g}\)[/tex]).
- [tex]\(\text{MnO}_2\)[/tex] (manganese dioxide), which is functioning as a catalyst, is in the solid phase ([tex]\(\text{s}\)[/tex]).

3. Definition of Types of Catalysts:

- Homogeneous Catalyst: A catalyst that is in the same phase as the reactants.
Example: If all the reactants and the catalyst are in the liquid phase.
- Heterogeneous Catalyst: A catalyst that is in a different phase than the reactants.
Example: If the reactants are in the liquid phase and the catalyst is in the solid phase.
- Enzymes: Biological catalysts that are typically proteins, and usually operate in aqueous environments in biological systems.

4. Analyze the Phase Relation in the Reaction:

- The reactant [tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{O}_2\)[/tex] is in the liquid phase.
- The catalyst [tex]\(\text{MnO}_2\)[/tex] is in the solid phase.

Since the catalyst ([tex]\(\text{MnO}_2\)[/tex]) is in a different phase (solid) compared to the reactant ([tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{O}_2\)[/tex]) which is in the liquid phase, this indicates that a heterogeneous catalyst is being used.

Therefore, we can conclude that:

A heterogeneous catalyst is being used in the reaction.
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