Hydrogen atoms can react with oxygen atoms forming different compounds. There are mainly two types, one is water and the other is hydrogen peroxide

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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.

 

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:

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.

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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.

Water and hydrogen peroxide are poor electrical conductors as they can only slightly ionize in water.  

2H2O(l) = ...

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