Finding concentration of Permanganate

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the concentration of potassium permanganate (KMnO4) in a solution after mixing it with sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The context is a homework problem involving dilution calculations and the application of the dilution formula.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a dilution calculation using the formula m1v1=m2v2 but encounters an incorrect result.
  • Another participant notes that the potassium permanganate was diluted to one sixth of its original concentration, explaining the mixing of parts containing and not containing permanganate.
  • Some participants affirm the initial approach is correct but suggest potential issues with significant figures or the format of the answer expected by the program.
  • A later reply indicates that correcting the significant figures resolved the issue for the original poster.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the validity of the dilution approach, but there is uncertainty regarding the specific requirements for significant figures and answer formatting in the program used.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include potential misunderstandings related to significant figures and the format of the answer required by the program, which are not fully resolved in the discussion.

lcary
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Homework Statement



Calculate the KMnO4 concentration of the solution in the cuvet. The Solution in the covet was made by mixing 5.00 ml of 1.00 M H2SO4 and 1.00 ml of the stock 2.00x10-3 M KMnO4.

Homework Equations


m1v1=m2v2

The Attempt at a Solution


I've tried using the dilution formula m1v1=m2v2 to find the answer with no luck. First I tried the following: 2.00x10-3 M * 0.001L = m2 * 0.006L. I solved for m2 and the program said my answer was incorrect, I've quadruple checked to make sure I didn't make a simple mistake. Then I tried to figure out how many moles were in 1ml of a 2.00x10-3 Molar solution but then I realized this still wouldn't give me the concentration and I wouldn't know where to go next with the value I obtained. I don't know what else to try. Help please.
 
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The potassium permanganate was diluted to one sixth of the original value. You added 5 parts containing no permanganate to one part containing permanganate. That is 6 parts of added liquids from which only one part contained permanganate.
 


lcary said:
First I tried the following: 2.00x10-3 M * 0.001L = m2 * 0.006L. I solved for m2 and the program said my answer was incorrect

Your approach is correct. Either you are entering incorrect number of significant figures, or program accepting answer expects the number in different format, but (unless you solved for m2 incorrectly) you should get the correct result.
 


Borek said:
Your approach is correct. Either you are entering incorrect number of significant figures, or program accepting answer expects the number in different format, but (unless you solved for m2 incorrectly) you should get the correct result.

Thank you for replying. I wasn't entering in the correct number of significant figures, once I corrected for the error, I got the right answer.
 

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