STUDENT HANDOUT

14B – CATALYSTS

What is a catalyst? Do all catalysts have the same impact on a sample?

 Test tubes, 20 mm x 150 mm (6)  3% Hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, 6 mL

 Test tube rack  Zinc pellets
 Forceps  Table salt
 Pipet, graduated  Potato cube
 Scoopula  Beef liver cube
 Manganese dioxide, MnO2  Pencil

Catalysts speed up the rate of chemical reactions by providing alternate reaction pathways with lower
activation energy compared to uncatalyzed reactions. There are two groups of catalysts: inorganic
catalysts and organic (biological) catalysts. Biological catalysts are called enzymes. Most enzymes are
protein molecules, and they specifically catalyze only one reaction. Inorganic catalysts take a wide
variety of forms.

You will investigate the ability of biological substances to catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen
peroxide, H2O2:
2H2O2(aq) → 2H2O(l) + O2(g)

Follow these important safety precautions in addition to your regular classroom procedures.
 Wear safety goggles at all times.

1. Label six clean, dry test tubes with a number from 1 - 6.

2. Obtain 6 mL of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution from your instructor. Use a pipet to add 1 mL
solution into each of the six test tubes.

3. Test tube #1 will act as your control. Nothing will be added to the hydrogen peroxide solution.
Record any changes that you notice during the lab period in Table 1 on your answer sheet.

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 STUDENT HANDOUT

4. Place one pea sized sample of manganese dioxide, MnO2, in test tube #2. Record your observations
in Table 1. For each of the test tubes, indicate whether a reaction was happening quickly or slowly
and whether or not the catalyst was effective. Record all observations in Table 1.

5. Place a similar amount of zinc metal, Zn, in test tube #3. Record your observations in Table 1.

6. Place a similar amount of table salt, NaCl, in test tube #4. Record your observations in Table 1.

7. Place a single potato cube into test tube #5. Record your observations in Table 1.

8. Use forceps to place a beef liver cube into test tube #6. Record your observations in Table 1.

9. After your observations are complete, clean your test tubes. Unreacted zinc must be returned to your
instructor.

Complete the analysis on your answer sheet.

Answer the questions on your answer sheet.

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