Why is H²O harmless, but H²O²(hydrogen peroxide) very lethal? How does the addition of a single oxygen atom bring such a huge change?
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A single atom is a pretty big addition in chemistry.
An extra atom is what changes sodium metal(that violently explodes in water) into table salt.
Oxygen is pretty reactive. A lot of things form with it like oxides(things rust), oxidation, etc.
Water is the stable version of hydrogen and oxygen. It doesn’t readily decompose into other things.
Cramming an extra oxygen into it makes it not really want to exist. It’s looking to offload that oxygen. Which is why it decomposes pretty easily to water and oxygen.
When it decomposes is the kicker. The extra oxygen “steals” electrons from cell walls, causing the cell to die.
[pretty much this meme. ](https://images.app.goo.gl/7CmoSM4hE9z9fQG7A)
Red dress- any thing else.
Guy- oxygen molecule.
Girlfriend- Hydrogen Peroxide.
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