A student studying the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide noticed that the rate at which oxygen gas collected was noticably slower after the reaction had been running for several minutes than it was when the reaction was first started. Select the best answer from the list of statements. a. The lower rate of oxygen collection is likely due to an error in making the measurement. There is no reason for the rate to be different than it was at the beginning of the reaction.b. After the reaction has been running for several minutes the concentration of hydrogen peroxide will be lower because it is being decomposed. This lower concentration is the reason the rate of oxygen production is slower.c. The lower rate of oxygen collection is likely due to a change in atmospheric pressure during the experiment. Oxygen is a gas and the volume of a gas depends on atmospheric pressure.d. After the reaction has been running for several minutes the concentration of the catalyst will be lower because it is being used up. This lower concentration is the reason the rate of oxygen production is slower.

Explanation: Reaction rate is the speed at which a chemical reaction occurs (that is, conversation of reactants to products). There are some factors that affects reaction rate and these includes:

- concentration of reactants,

- surface area,

- temperature and

- presence of catalyst

The rate of decomposition of hydrogen peroxide is been affected by concentration of the hydrogen peroxide as more collision occurs at the initial time but as the reactant is being used up the collision rate decreased.

The student noticed that the rate at which oxygen gas collected was noticeably slower after the reaction had been running for several minutes than it was when the reaction was first started because after the reaction has been running for several minutes the concentration of hydrogen peroxide will be lower because it is being decomposed. This lower concentration is the reason the rate of oxygen production is slower. I hope this helps. Thanks.