3b. Rates of Reaction

What is a catalyst?

A catalyst is a substance of any kind that speeds up or slows down a chemical reaction without itself being affected. They can be organic, synthetic or metal. The process by which the catalyst speeds up or slows a reaction is called catalysis.

Determine which food group (liver, celery, potato, bread) is the best and the worst catalyst for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.

Out of the four foods we tested, liver , celery, potato and bread, the liver proved the most successful at decomposing  the hydrogen peroxide. When the acid came into contact with it, it fizzed up and came up the test tube and bubbles came right out the top! The potato  was the second most effective, then the celery and finally the bread.

The Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide

When hydrogen oxide is decomposed it turns into oxygen and water. If a glowing splint is put into the test tube with liver and hydrogen peroxide so that it isn’t touching them but is still in the test tube, the oxygen will cause it to be re-lit!