redox reaction:

Hydrogen peroxide is added to an acidified solution of potassium permanganate.
what is the total redox reaction?

The products in acidic solution are O2 and Mn^2+. Can you take it from there?

MnO4^- + H^+ + H2O2 ==> O2 + Mn^2+

To determine the total redox reaction when hydrogen peroxide is added to an acidified solution of potassium permanganate, we need to consider the oxidation states of the elements involved and how they change during the reaction.

First, let's identify the oxidation states of the elements:

1. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2): The oxygen atom in hydrogen peroxide usually has an oxidation state of -1. Since there are two oxygen atoms, the total oxidation state contributed by the oxygen is -2. The oxidation state of hydrogen is +1. So, the overall oxidation state of hydrogen peroxide is 0.

2. Potassium permanganate (KMnO4): The potassium ion (K+) has an oxidation state of +1. The oxygen atoms in permanganate usually have an oxidation state of -2. Since there are four oxygen atoms, the total oxidation state contributed by the oxygen is -8. The overall oxidation state of manganese (Mn) can be calculated by considering the total oxidation state of potassium permanganate, which is -1 (since it is an ion). Therefore, the oxidation state of manganese is +7.

Next, let's analyze how the oxidation states change during the reaction:

H2O2 (oxidation state of O: -1) + KMnO4 (oxidation state of Mn: +7) -->

We can see that the oxygen atom in hydrogen peroxide changes from -1 to -2. This means it is being reduced. The oxidation state of manganese in potassium permanganate changes from +7 to +2. This means it is being reduced.

Now let's combine the reactants and products:

H2O2 + KMnO4 + acidic conditions --> K2MnO4 + O2 + H2O

The balanced equation for the total redox reaction is:

5H2O2 + 2KMnO4 + 6H+ --> 2K2MnO4 + 5O2 + 8H2O

Therefore, the total redox reaction when hydrogen peroxide is added to an acidified solution of potassium permanganate is:

5 hydrogen peroxide + 2 potassium permanganate + 6 hydrogen ions --> 2 potassium manganate + 5 oxygen gas + 8 water molecules.