Why is hydrogen peroxide always cold?

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I was recently ordered by a doctor to use hydrogen peroxide to treat an infection, and whenever I put it on, it feels cold. Why?

In: Chemistry

1 Answer

Anonymous 0 Comments

The energy transfer from your hand to peroxide.

Hydrogen peroxide H2O2 undergoes rapid dispropotionation upon exposure to normal air, forming oxygen and water. Here energy is taken to break the bonds in H2O2 to form O2 and H2O. This energy is taken from your skin, in the form of heat energy transfer.

So removing heat energy from your hand will decreases the temperature of the area slightly.