Explain why hydrogen peroxide is relatively safe for human skin at low concentrations
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Hydrogen peroxide, H₂O₂, is a water-soluble compound. The concentration of an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution that is 3% by mass H₂O₂ is used as an antiseptic. When the solution is poured on a small cut in the skin, H₂O₂ reacts according to the balanced equation below. 2H₂O₂ → 2H₂O + O₂
Madhur L.
(A) Hydrogen peroxide in the form of aqueous solution acts as a bleaching agent - of delicate materials such as wool, silk, cotton, hair, etc. (R) $\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{2}$ acts as a bleaching agent due to its oxidising nature. Coloured material $+[\mathrm{O}] \longrightarrow$ Colourless
Hydrogen peroxide is used as a cleaning agent in the treatment of cuts and abrasions for several reasons. It is an oxidizing agent that can directly kill many microorganisms; it decomposes upon contact with blood, releasing elemental oxygen gas (which inhibits the growth of anaerobic microorganisms); and it foams upon contact with blood, which provides a cleansing action. In the laboratory, small quantities of hydrogen peroxide can be prepared by the action of an acid on an alkaline earth metal peroxide, such as barium peroxide. $$\mathrm{BaO}_{2}(s)+2 \mathrm{HCl}(a q) \rightarrow \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{2}(a q)+\mathrm{BaCl}_{2}(a q)$$ What amount of hydrogen peroxide should result when 1.50 $\mathrm{g}$ of barium peroxide is treated with 25.0 $\mathrm{mL}$ of hydrochloric acid solution containing 0.0272 $\mathrm{g}$ of HCl per mL?
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