Oxides of Hydrogen

Oxides of Hydrogen

Introduction:

Hydrogen atoms can react with oxygen atoms forming different

compounds. There are mainly two types, one is water and the other is

hydrogen peroxide.

Structure:

A water molecule is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom

joining together by covalent bonds. The shape of it is bent and its

bond angle is of 105°. The structure is shown below.

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A hydrogen peroxide molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms and two

oxygen atoms joined together by covalent bonds. It is relatively

unstable in sunlight as repulsion exists between non-bonded electrons

in the oxygen atoms, forming free radicals easily. The structure is

shown below:

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Water and hydrogen peroxide have a simple molecular structure and held

by hydrogen bonds. The slightly positive charged hydrogen atom is

attracted by the lone pair electrons on the oxygen atoms.

Physical Properties:

Both water and hydrogen peroxide have a high melting point and boiling

point due to the presence of hydrogen bonds between the molecules of

them. For water at 1 atm, the melting point and boiling point is 0°C

and 100°C respectively.

Water reaches the maximum density at 4°C. The density of ice is lower

than that of water. The molecules are in constant motion and the

strong hydrogen bonding leads to the closed packing of water

molecules.

The melting curve of water in the phase diagram has an unusual

negative slope. When the pressure of water increases, its melting

point decreases. This is because high pressure reduces the volume of

water and this is achieved by changing ice to liquid water.

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...nt in car

engines for absorbing a large amount of heat with only a small rise in

temperature. It can also used as solvent so as to dissolve many polar

substances. It is an essential component in living things as it

governs many cellular reactions inside our body and it is one of the

raw materials in photosynthesis.

Hydrogen peroxide can act as an additive for the polymerization of

organic compounds. Farmers can also spray dilute hydrogen peroxide to

increase the crop yields. It is even required for the production of

thyroid hormone and sexual hormones and help regulate the amount of

oxygen getting to our cells. It is used in fuels for rockets and

torpedoes and used as a bleaching agent for textiles, e.g., wool and

silk, and in paper manufacture. It is also used in chemical

manufacture.

End of the Essay