Predict the most likely redox reaction and use the spontaneity rule to predict whether the reaction will occur spontaneously.
1. An aqueous solution of potassium permanganate was reacted with an acidic solution of sodium bromide and an orange-born substance was formed.
Can someone start me off on this?
The presence of the orange-"born--what's that>" makes me think Br2 was formed. If that's true then I know permanganate in acid solution goes to Mn^+2.
So you would write the two half cells as
MnO4^- ==> Mn^+2 (acid solution)
Br^- ==> Br2
and balance from there.
Then look up the reduction potentials but you already know it should occur because you obtained a product.
To determine the most likely redox reaction and predict whether it will occur spontaneously, we need to consider the species present in the reaction and their potential to undergo oxidation or reduction. Here's how you can approach this problem:
1. Write down the balanced chemical equation for the reaction:
KMnO₄ (aq) + NaBr (aq) + H⁺ (aq) → ?
2. Identify the oxidation states (oxidation numbers) of all the elements present in the reaction. This will help you determine which species undergoes oxidation and which undergoes reduction.
3. Determine the changes in oxidation states for the elements. Since the reaction involves redox (oxidation and reduction), some elements will lose electrons (oxidation) while others will gain electrons (reduction).
4. Analyze the changes in oxidation states to identify the species that gets reduced and the one that gets oxidized. The species that undergoes reduction will act as the oxidizing agent, while the species that undergoes oxidation will act as the reducing agent.
5. Use the spontaneity rule to predict if the reaction will occur spontaneously. The spontaneity of a redox reaction can be determined by comparing the potentials of the reducing and oxidizing agents. The reaction is likely to occur spontaneously if the reducing agent has a greater reducing potential than the oxidizing agent.
By following these steps, you should be able to determine the most likely redox reaction and predict its spontaneity.