Peroxide facts for kids
Peroxide is an ion. Its chemical formula is O22-. Peroxide can be a reducing agent or an oxidizing agent. More often it is an oxidizing agent. It can be reduced to oxide or oxidized to oxygen. Hydrogen peroxide is the most common peroxide. Barium peroxide is another peroxide.
There are organic peroxides. These are chemical compounds where peroxide is attached to an organic molecule. Some of them are explosives.
It is mainly used as an oxidant and bleaching agent. Bleach made from hydrogen peroxide is used to make hair lighter in color, orange, blonde, or even white. It is often used by dark-haired people to make highlights, and most hair dyes contain it.
Related pages
Images for kids
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Types of peroxides, from top to bottom: peroxide ion, organic peroxide, organic hydroperoxide, peracid. The peroxide group is marked in blue. R, R1 and R2 mark hydrocarbon moieties.
See also
In Spanish: Peróxido para niños
