======Preparing and Testing Oxygen======


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**Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\
**Difficulty: **{{$demo.difficulty_description}}\\
**Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\
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**Alternative titles:** Oxygen from Hydrogen Peroxide
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  - Place a small amount of solid manganese(IV) oxide (black powder) into a conical flask.  
  - Pour hydrogen peroxide solution into the flask.  
  - Collect the oxygen released using either a gas jar over water or a gas syringe.  
  - Test the gas by placing a glowing splint into the collected sample. The splint will relight in oxygen.



====Links==== 
Laboratory Preparation of Oxygen - The DIY Chemist: 
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To Prepare Oxygen and Examine its Properties - Simple Science and Maths: 
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📄 Oxygen - BBC Bitesize: [[https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z7qw382/revision/5]]\\


====Variations====
  * Use a gas syringe instead of a water bath and gas jar for cleaner collection.  
  * Try different catalysts (e.g., potassium iodide) and compare reaction speeds.  
  * Collect oxygen in balloons for demonstrations of combustion with other substances.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Wear safety goggles and gloves.  
  * Hydrogen peroxide is an irritant — avoid contact with skin and eyes.  
  * Handle manganese(IV) oxide carefully; avoid inhaling dust.  
  * Ensure the splint is only glowing, not burning, to prevent accidents.




====Questions to Consider====
  * What happens to a glowing splint in oxygen, and why? (It relights because oxygen supports combustion.)  
  * Why is manganese(IV) oxide added to hydrogen peroxide? (It acts as a catalyst to speed up decomposition.)  
  * What is the balanced chemical equation for this reaction? (2H2O2 → 2H2O + O2)  
  * Why is oxygen useful in medicine and welding? (It supports breathing for patients and increases flame temperature for cutting/welding metals.)