Shown here are four representations chemists use for hydrogen peroxide. In the colored models, hydrogen is white and oxygen is red. Click on image for full size (27 Kb GIF) Windows to the Universe original artwork by Randy Russell.

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a chemical compound consisting of two oxygen atoms and two hydrogen atoms. It is a clear liquid at normal temperatures and pressures. Hydrogen peroxide is a very reactive chemical.

Dilute solutions of hydrogen peroxide are used to disinfect wounds. It can also be used to bleach human hair, hence the term "peroxide blonde". About half the world's production of this chemical is used to bleach pulp and paper products. Hydrogen peroxide has an advantage over some other bleaching agents in that its decomposition products, oxygen and water, are not pollutants. Hydrogen peroxide is sometimes employed as an oxidizer in rocket motors.

Hydrogen peroxide is a natural end product of chemistry that goes on in Earth's atmosphere.  It is normally present in very small quantities.  But sometimes, when a lot of hydrocarbons are emitted in warm moist climates, hydrogen peroxide abundance can increase dramatically.  Hydrogen peroxide can survive for several days if it is not removed from the air by precipitation.  During its travels, it will undergo chemical reactions.  One example is the oxidation of sulfur trioxide (SO₃) into sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), making acid rain.

Here are four different ways chemists use to show a molecule of hydrogen peroxide. In the colored molecule models, hydrogen is white and oxygen is red. Click on image for full size (27 Kb GIF) Windows to the Universe original artwork by Randy Russell.

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a kind of chemical. A molecule of hydrogen peroxide has oxygen and hydrogen atoms in it. Hydrogen peroxide is a clear liquid.

Hydrogen peroxide is in some liquids that are used to clean wounds.

There is a small amount of hydrogen peroxide in Earth's air. Hydrogen peroxide helps change sulfur trioxide (SO₃) in the atmosphere into sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄). Sulfuric acid is part of acid rain.

Here are four different ways chemists use to show a molecule of hydrogen peroxide. In the colored molecule models, hydrogen is white and oxygen is red. Click on image for full size (27 Kb GIF) Windows to the Universe original artwork by Randy Russell.

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a kind of chemical. A molecule of hydrogen peroxide has oxygen and hydrogen atoms in it. Hydrogen peroxide is a clear liquid.

Hydrogen peroxide is in some liquids that are used to clean wounds.

There is a small amount of hydrogen peroxide in Earth's air. Hydrogen peroxide helps change sulfur trioxide (SO₃) in the atmosphere into sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄). Sulfuric acid is part of acid rain.