Question

What is the oxidation number of manganese (Mn) in potassium permanganate (KMnO4)?

Answer 1

Answer:

+7

Explanation:

Within every molecule, there is always an oxidation number assigned to every individual atom within the molecule. Hydrogen will always have an oxidation number of +1 (because it only has one electron to give, and when it gives that electron, it has a charge of +1).

Elements in group 1 always have an oxidation number of +1, and elements in group 16 always have an oxidation number of -2. Using this information we can calculate the oxidation number of Mn in the molecule KMnO₄.

Overall the molecule is neutral, so all the oxidation numbers would add up to zero:

K + Mn + O₄ = 0

(+1) + Mn + 4(-2) = 0

(+1) + Mn + (-8) = 0

Mn + (-7) = 0

Mn = +7

Answer 2

What is the oxidation number of manganese (Mn) in potassium permanganate (KMnO4)?

+3
+5
+6
+7

The oxidation number of manganese (Mn) in potassium permanganate (KMnO4) is +5.