The enzyme "catalase" catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by the exothermic reaction:
H2O2 (aq) → H2O (l) + ½ O2 (g)
Estimate the minimum detectable concentration of hydrogen peroxide if a small amount of catalase (a solid) is added to a hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution in a calorimeter. Assume that a temperature rise of 0.02°C can be distinguished. You can use a heat capacity of 4.184 kJ kg⁻¹ K⁻¹ for the hydrogen peroxide solution.

answer : third trial had the contaminated sample and the correct value for dhrxn should be 1000 kj/mol

explanation :

let us write down the given equations

equation 1 :

equation 2 :

equation 3 :

let us use hess's law to find out which 2 equations can be added to get the third equation.

let us reverse equation 2 and multiply it by 2. the new equation that we get is,

equation 4 :

let us add equation 1 & 4

the above equation is similar to equation 3 but has different value for dhrxn.

therefore third trial had the contaminated sample and the correct value for dhrxn should be 1000 kj/mol