To determine the nature of the catalyst used in the reaction:
1. Understand the Reaction Details:
The reaction given is:
[tex]\[
2 \text{H}_2\text{O}_2(\text{l}) \xrightarrow{\text{MnO}_2(\text{s})} 2 \text{H}_2\text{O}(\text{l}) + \text{O}_2(\text{g})
\][/tex]
2. Identify the Phases of Reactants and Products:
- [tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{O}_2\)[/tex] (hydrogen peroxide) is in the liquid phase ([tex]\(\text{l}\)[/tex]).
- [tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)[/tex] (water) is in the liquid phase ([tex]\(\text{l}\)[/tex]).
- [tex]\(\text{O}_2\)[/tex] (oxygen) is in the gas phase ([tex]\(\text{g}\)[/tex]).
- [tex]\(\text{MnO}_2\)[/tex] (manganese dioxide), which is functioning as a catalyst, is in the solid phase ([tex]\(\text{s}\)[/tex]).
3. Definition of Types of Catalysts:
- Homogeneous Catalyst: A catalyst that is in the same phase as the reactants.
Example: If all the reactants and the catalyst are in the liquid phase.
- Heterogeneous Catalyst: A catalyst that is in a different phase than the reactants.
Example: If the reactants are in the liquid phase and the catalyst is in the solid phase.
- Enzymes: Biological catalysts that are typically proteins, and usually operate in aqueous environments in biological systems.
4. Analyze the Phase Relation in the Reaction:
- The reactant [tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{O}_2\)[/tex] is in the liquid phase.
- The catalyst [tex]\(\text{MnO}_2\)[/tex] is in the solid phase.
Since the catalyst ([tex]\(\text{MnO}_2\)[/tex]) is in a different phase (solid) compared to the reactant ([tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{O}_2\)[/tex]) which is in the liquid phase, this indicates that a heterogeneous catalyst is being used.
Therefore, we can conclude that:
A heterogeneous catalyst is being used in the reaction.
