Glittering white teeth gives charming personality. Hence teeth whitening has grown in popularity in recent years, owing to the increased availability of products on the market.

However, a lot of these solutions can be fairly pricey, which prompts consumers to search for less-priced treatments.

Therefore, the primary component of most teeth-whitening products, hydrogen peroxide, is the cheapest method at home for dazzling teeth whitening.

What you need to know is this; The majority of bottles of hydrogen peroxide you may purchase at a drugstore or grocery shop are diluted to about 3 per cent. Could you determine how much hydrogen peroxide is present in this three per cent volume of solution? If not, let's explore.

Table of Contents

• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Volume Strength of Hydrogen Peroxide
• Practice Problems
• Frequently Asked Questions

Hydrogen Peroxide

Chemically, hydrogen peroxide has the formula H₂O₂. It is a very light blue liquid when it is pure, somewhat more viscous than water.

Characteristics of Hydrogen Peroxides

1. For consumer use, it is typically diluted in water and used as an oxidant, bleaching agent, and antiseptic.
2. The simplest peroxide and a reactive oxygen species with an oxygen-oxygen single bond is hydrogen peroxide.
3. When it is exposed to light, it steadily deteriorates. It is normally kept in a dark bottle with a stabiliser in a weakly acidic solution.
4. In biological systems, including the human body, hydrogen peroxide is present.

Volume Strength of Hydrogen Peroxide

In all ratios, H₂O₂ and water can be mixed to form a hydrate of H₂O₂.H₂O

Volume is a typical method for expressing the strength of hydrogen peroxide. This is a reference to the amount of oxygen that an H₂O₂ solution will produce.

In the case of hydrogen peroxide, a "20 volume" means that 1 L of this solution will produce 20 L of oxygen at N.T.P or 1m L of this solution will produce 20mL of oxygen at N.T.P.

Now, If we want to calculate the amount of Hydrogen peroxide in 20 Volume,

Follow these steps

(i) Decomposition of Hydrogen peroxide can be written as

${2H}_2{O}_2\left(l\right)\to 2H_{2}O\left(l\right)+O_2\left(g\right)$

68 g                                  22.7 L

1 mole of O₂(g) = 22.7 L or 32 g

1 mole of H₂O₂(l) = 22.7 L or 34 g

2 moles of H₂O₂(l) = 45.4L or 68 g

(ii) Mole Concept

1 mole of O₂(g)is formed on the decomposition of 2 moles of H₂O₂(l)

22.7 L of O₂(g) is formed on the decomposition of 68 g of H₂O₂(l)

1 L of O₂(g) is formed on the decomposition of = $\frac{68 g}{22.7 L}$ of H₂O₂(l)

20 L of O₂(g) is formed on the decomposition of = $\frac{68 g}{22.7 L}\times 20 L of H_2{O}_2\left(l\right)=59.9 g of H_2{O}_2\left(l\right)$

Hence, 20 volume contains 59.9 g or 60 g of H₂O₂(l).

(iii) Strength of H₂O₂(l) in 20 volume of 1L solution

Strength = $\frac{60 g}{1 L}$ = $60\frac{g}{L}$

(iv) % Strength of H₂O₂(l) in 20 volume of 1L solution

% Strength = $\frac{60g}{1000mL}\times 100$ = 6 %

Practice Problems

Q1. Calculate the volume of O₂(g) in 3% solution of Hydrogen Peroxide.

A. 3 L
B. 30 L
C. 10 L
D. 15 L

Answer: (C)

Solution: 3% solution of Hydrogen Peroxide means the strength of the solution is $\frac{30g}{L}$

Hence, it is given that 30 g of Hydrogen peroxide is present in 1L of solution.

Decomposition of Hydrogen peroxide can be written as

${2H}_2{O}_2\left(l\right)\to 2H_{2}O\left(l\right)+O_2\left(g\right)$

68 g                               22.7 L

2 moles of H₂O₂(l) decompose to give 1 mole of O₂(g)

68 g of H₂O₂(l) decompose to give 22.7 L of O₂(g)

1 g of H₂O₂(l) decompose to give = $\frac{22.7 L}{68 g}$of O₂(g)

30 g of H2O2(l) decompose to give = $\frac{22.7 L}{68 g}\times 30 g of O_2\left(g\right)=10 L of O_2\left(g\right)$

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Q2. Calculate the volume strength of 3N H₂O₂(l) solution.

A. 17 volumes
B. 25 volumes
C. 51 volumes
D. Invalid information

Answer: (A)

Solution: 3N means 3 gram equivalents of H₂O₂(l) is present in 1L of solution.

Equivalent Weight of H₂O₂(l) = $\frac{Molar Mass}{2}$ = $\frac{34}{2}$ = 17 g

$Gram Equivalents =\frac{Weight}{Equivalent Weight}$

$Weight =Gram Equivalents \times Equivalent Weight$

$Weight of H_2{O}_2\left(l\right)=3\times 17 =51 g$

Decomposition of Hydrogen peroxide can be written as

${2H}_2{O}_2\left(l\right)\to 2H_{2}O\left(l\right)+O_2\left(g\right)$

68 g                  22.7 L

2 moles of H₂O₂(l) decompose to give 1 mole of O₂(g)

68 g of H₂O₂(l) decompose to give 22.7 L of O₂(g)

1 g of H₂O₂(l) decompose to give = $\frac{22.7 L}{68 g}$ gof O₂(g)

51 g of H₂O₂(l) decompose to give = $\frac{22.7 L}{68 g}\times 51 g$ of O₂(g) = 17 L of O₂(g)

1 L of this solution will produce 17 L of oxygen at N.T.P, hence the volume strength of H₂O₂(l) is 17 volumes

Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Q3. Calculate the weight of H₂O₂(l) present in 25 volumes of H₂O₂(l).

A. 25 g
B. 50 g
C. 64 g
D. 75 g

Answer: (D)

Solution: 25 volume means that 1 L of this solution will produce 25 L of oxygen at N.T.P.

Decomposition of Hydrogen peroxide can be written as

${2H}_2{O}_2\left(l\right)\to 2H_{2}O\left(l\right)+O_2\left(g\right)$

68 g                          22.7 L

1 mole of O₂(g)is formed on the decomposition of 2 moles of H₂O₂(l)

22.7 L of O₂(g) is formed on the decomposition of 648g of H₂O₂(l)

1 L of O₂(g) is formed on the decomposition of = 68 g22.7 L of H2O2(l)

25 L of O2(g) is formed on the decomposition of = $\frac{68 g}{22.7 L}\times 25 L$ of H₂O₂(l) = 74.9 g or 75 g of H₂O₂(l)

Hence, 20 volume contains 75 g of H₂O₂(l).

The correct option is (D).

Q4. A KI solution that has been acidified can release 1 g of iodine when 1.34 mL of H₂O₂(l) is added. Calculate the volume strength of H₂O₂(l) solution at STP.

A. 33 Volumes
B. 3.3 Volumes
C. 4.48 Volumes
D. 0.33 Volumes

Answer: (A)

Solution: H₂O₂(l) reacts with acidified KI solution as

$2KI+H_2{SO}_4+H_2{O}_2\to K_2{SO}_4+I_2+2H_{2}O$

3.4 mL                                   1g

254 g of I₂ liberates = 34 g of H2O2

1 g of I₂ liberates= $\frac{34 g}{254g}$= 0.134 g of H₂O₂

1.34 mL of H₂O₂(l) contains = 0.134 g

1 mL of H₂O₂(l) contains = $\frac{0.134 }{1.34}$=0.1 g

Decomposition of Hydrogen peroxide can be written as

${2H}_2{O}_2\left(l\right)\to 2H_{2}O\left(l\right)+O_2\left(g\right)$

68 g                              22.7 L

2 moles of H₂O₂(l) decompose to give 1 mole of O₂(g)

68g of H₂O₂(l) decompose to give 22.7 L of O₂(g)

1 g of H₂O₂(l) decompose to give = $\frac{22.7 L}{68 g}$of O₂(g)

0.1 g of H₂O₂(l) decompose to give = $\frac{22.7 L}{68 g}\times 0.1 g$ of O₂(g) = 0.033 L of O₂(g)

Hence, 1 mL of H₂O₂(l) contains 0.033 L of O₂(g)

Also, 1 mL of H₂O₂(l) contains 33 mL of O₂(g)

Volume Strength = 33 Volumes

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Where in your daily life can you find hydrogen peroxide?
Answer: Hydrogen peroxide functions as an oxidising ingredient in personal care and home goods like toothpaste, mouthwash, bathroom cleaners, and laundry stain removers, providing a lightening and whitening effect.

Q2. How could hydrogen peroxide affect a person's body?
Answer: Hydrogen peroxide is unlikely to result in chronic toxicity because it breaks down quickly in the body. However, repeated inhalations of hydrogen peroxide fumes in chemistry labs may result in chronic respiratory tract irritation and partial or total lung collapse.

Q3. What is the purpose of hydrogen peroxide in medicine?
Answer: For minor burns, scrapes, and wounds, hydrogen peroxide is a gentle antibacterial that can be applied directly to the skin. Additionally, it can be used as a mouthwash to assist clear mucus or soothe mild oral irritation. Additionally, it is utilised as a nasal spray and to remove earwax.

Q4. Is blood a stain that hydrogen peroxide can remove?
Answer: Unfortunately, they are, and for this job, something more powerful than soap and water is frequently required. The best technique is to employ hydrogen peroxide, an oxidising substance that breaks down and eliminates old blood stains through a chemical reaction.