Breaking bonds such as those in Hydrogen peroxide gives off energy What was some proof that energy was released during this experiment?

1 Answer
Jun 21, 2017

You have not specified the experiment.......

Explanation:

And in addition, BREAKING BONDS requires energy. Whereas making bonds releases energy.

We know that hydrogen peroxide decomposes according to the equation......

#H_2O_2(l) stackrel(MnO_2)rarrH_2O(l) + 1/2O_2(g)uarr+Delta#

And that's the experimental result.......i.e. evolution of heat. While it does require energy to break the the #H-O# and (less #Delta#) #O-O# bonds, heat is released upon formation of strong #H-O# and #O=O# bonds. The balance of enthalpy change is negative, and the reaction gives an exotherm.

Often a little #Mn^(IV+)# salt is added to catalyze this reaction.

And please note that scientists do not deal in #"proof"#, they deal in #"evidence"#; and the evidence of such heat transfer is a rise in temperature of the reaction solvent.