H2O2 + Heat = H2O + O2

Would this be combustion or decomposition? Since the products are H2O and O2, I thought it would be combustion but then H2O can be decompose into H2O and O2 which would be decomposition.

decomposition. Hydrogen peroxide is decomposing to H2O and O2.

Decomposition occurs when one compound on the left forms more than one on the right.

DrBob, could you clarify what you mean by " one compound on the left forms more than one on the right" Thanks.

Synthesis occurs when two or more substances combine to form one.

2H2 + O2 ==> 2H2O
Here two reactants (those on the left) combine to form just one product (on the right).

Decomposition is the reverse of synthesis. One reactant forms more than one product.

Oh, thanks you for that! If it was H2O2 + O2 + Heat = H2O + O2 it would still be decomposition?

I don't know how to treat that since th equation isn't balanced and it contains the same material on both sides. I would cancel the O2 on the left with O2 on the right(and balance it) to leave the equation of

2H2O2 + heat ==> 2H2O + O2 and that is decomposition. What you wrote is not balanced and contains a mo

In this reaction, H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) is being broken down into H2O (water) and O2 (oxygen gas). To determine whether this is a combustion or decomposition reaction, we need to consider the definition of each.

Combustion is a chemical reaction that involves the rapid combination of a fuel (such as a hydrocarbon) with oxygen, resulting in the release of energy in the form of heat and light. Typically, combustion reactions involve the complete oxidation of the fuel into carbon dioxide and water.

Decomposition, on the other hand, is a chemical reaction in which a compound breaks down into simpler substances. It can occur through various processes, such as heat, light, or the addition of a catalyst.

In the given reaction, H2O2 is breaking down into H2O and O2, without the involvement of any other fuel or combustion products. Therefore, this reaction is a decomposition reaction. The heat applied to the H2O2 simply provides the activation energy necessary for the decomposition to occur. So, the correct classification for this reaction is decomposition.