what role does potassium iodide play in the generation of oxygen? how does this

Question

what role does potassium iodide play in the generation of oxygen? how does this differ from the role of sodium bicarbonate in the production of carbon dioxide?

Explanation / Answer

Potassium iodide will act as the catalyst to decompose hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. A catalyst is a substance that participates in a chemical reaction and influences its speed without undergoing permanent change. Here the iodide ion is conserved. Basically: K is a spectator ion I- is oxidized... as peroxide is reduced peroxide is reduced to water 2I- is oxidized to I2 H2O2(aq) + I-(aq) -> OI-(aq) + H2O(l) H2O2(aq) + OI-(aq) -> H2O(l) + O2(g) + I-(aq) sodium bicarb is often used to neutralize acids (spills) in the process CO2 is generated....this is a decomposition reaction: Reaction of sodium bicarbonate and an acid: NaHCO3 + HCl ? NaCl + H2CO3 This then decomposes into carbon dioxide and water: H2CO3 ? H2O+ CO2 (gas) NaHCO3 + CH3COOH ? CH3COONa + H2O + CO2 (gas) The difference is that the sodium bicarbonate actually participates in the reaction. The sodium bicarbonate is not a spectator species or a catalyst. It is consumed in the decomposition reaction. While KI is just a catalyst that does not get lost in the reaction.

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