Answer: Can act as both oxidant and reductant.
- A Is a strong dehydrating agent only
- B Always disproportionates in acid medium
- C Is amphoteric exactly like water
- D Can act as both oxidant and reductant
Correct answer: D. Can act as both oxidant and reductant
Explanation: With KI it oxidises I<sup>-</sup> to I<sub>2</sub> (oxidant); with KMnO<sub>4</sub> it reduces Mn(VII) to Mn(II) (reductant). So H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> is both an oxidising and a reducing agent.
Each water molecule's O-H bonds (covalent, solid) can hydrogen-bond (dashed) to neighbouring molecules, forming an extended network responsible for water's unusually high boiling point and density anomaly.
Concept context
The simplest and most abundant element in the universe. Study its unique position in the periodic table, isotopes (protium, deuterium, tritium), properties of water and hydrogen peroxide, and industrial uses.