When `KMnO_(4)` reacts with acidified `FeSO_(4)`

Options

A. Both `FeSO_(4)` and `KMnO_(4)` are oxidised
B. Both `FeSO_(4)` and `KMnO_(4)` are reduced
C. `FeSO_(4)` is oxidised and `KMnO_(4)` is reduced
D. `FeSO_(4)` is reduced and `KMnO_(4)` is oxidised

Answer

To solve the question regarding the reaction between KMnO4 and acidified FeSO4, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Reactants**:
The reactants in this reaction are potassium permanganate (KMnO4) and acidified iron(II) sulfate (FeSO4). The acidification is typically done using sulfuric acid (H2SO4).

2. **Determine the Oxidation States**:
- In KMnO4, manganese (Mn) has an oxidation state of +7.
- In FeSO4, iron (Fe) has an oxidation state of +2.

3. **Identify the Reaction Type**:
This is a redox reaction where one species is oxidized and another is reduced. KMnO4 is known to be a strong oxidizing agent.

4. **Oxidation and Reduction**:
- **Oxidation**: The Fe^2+ ions in FeSO4 will lose electrons and get oxidized to Fe^3+ ions.
- **Reduction**: The MnO4^- ions in KMnO4 will gain electrons and get reduced to Mn^2+ ions.

5. **Write the Half-Reactions**:
- Oxidation half-reaction:
\[ \text{Fe}^{2+} \rightarrow \text{Fe}^{3+} + e^- \]
- Reduction half-reaction:
\[ \text{MnO}_4^- + 8 \text{H}^+ + 5 e^- \rightarrow \text{Mn}^{2+} + 4 \text{H}_2\text{O} \]

6. **Combine the Half-Reactions**:
To balance the electrons transferred, multiply the oxidation half-reaction by 5:
\[ 5 \text{Fe}^{2+} \rightarrow 5 \text{Fe}^{3+} + 5 e^- \]

Now, combine it with the reduction half-reaction:
\[ \text{MnO}_4^- + 8 \text{H}^+ + 5 e^- \rightarrow \text{Mn}^{2+} + 4 \text{H}_2\text{O} \]

7. **Overall Reaction**:
The overall balanced reaction can be written as:
\[ \text{MnO}_4^- + 8 \text{H}^+ + 5 \text{Fe}^{2+} \rightarrow \text{Mn}^{2+} + 4 \text{H}_2\text{O} + 5 \text{Fe}^{3+} \]

8. **Conclusion**:
In this reaction, FeSO4 is oxidized to Fe^3+, and KMnO4 is reduced to Mn^2+. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that FeSO4 is oxidized and KMnO4 is reduced.

### Final Answer:
FeSO4 is oxidized and KMnO4 is reduced.