Barium peroxide facts for kids
Barium peroxide is a special kind of chemical compound. Think of it as a tiny building block made from two different elements: barium and oxygen. Its chemical formula is BaO2, which means each tiny piece of barium peroxide has one barium atom and two oxygen atoms joined together in a special way called a peroxide group.
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What is Barium Peroxide Like?
Barium peroxide is a solid material that looks gray or white. It's not something you'd find naturally in your backyard! This compound has some interesting reactions:
- When barium peroxide touches water, it reacts. This reaction creates oxygen gas, which bubbles away.
- If you heat barium peroxide to a very high temperature, it breaks down. It releases oxygen gas and changes into a different compound called barium oxide.
How is Barium Peroxide Made?
Scientists make barium peroxide by heating barium oxide. This process was once very important for getting oxygen from the air. Here's how it worked:
- First, barium oxide was heated to about 300°C (572°F). At this temperature, it would "grab" oxygen from the air. This process created barium peroxide.
- Next, the barium peroxide was heated to over 500°C (932°F). When it got this hot, it would "let go" of the oxygen it had absorbed. This released pure oxygen gas.
- After releasing the oxygen, the barium oxide was left behind. It could then be used again to collect more oxygen from the air. This clever method allowed people to get oxygen without needing to separate it from all the other gases in the air.
What is Barium Peroxide Used For?
Barium peroxide has a few useful applications:
- Making hydrogen peroxide: One important use is to create hydrogen peroxide. This happens when barium peroxide reacts with sulfuric acid. The reaction also produces a solid material called barium sulfate. Hydrogen peroxide is a common chemical used for cleaning, bleaching, and even in some medicines.
- Fireworks: Barium compounds, including barium peroxide, are sometimes used in pyrotechnics (like fireworks). They can help create certain colors or act as an oxidizing agent to make the fireworks burn brighter.
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Barium peroxide Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.