H2O2 + Heat = H2O + O2

Question

Would this be combustion or decomposition? Since the products are H2O and O2, I thought it would be combustion but then H2O can be decompose into H2O and O2 which would be decomposition.

Answer 1

decomposition. Hydrogen peroxide is decomposing to H2O and O2.
Decomposition occurs when one compound on the left forms more than one on the right.

Answer 2

DrBob, could you clarify what you mean by " one compound on the left forms more than one on the right" Thanks.

Answer 3

Synthesis occurs when two or more substances combine to form one.
2H2 + O2 ==> 2H2O
Here two reactants (those on the left) combine to form just one product (on the right).

Decomposition is the reverse of synthesis. One reactant forms more than one product.

Answer 4

Oh, thanks you for that! If it was H2O2 + O2 + Heat = H2O + O2 it would still be decomposition?

Answer 5

I don't know how to treat that since th equation isn't balanced and it contains the same material on both sides. I would cancel the O2 on the left with O2 on the right(and balance it) to leave the equation of
2H2O2 + heat ==> 2H2O + O2 and that is decomposition. What you wrote is not balanced and contains a mo