Title: Identification of Three Unknown Solutions via Inter-Reaction Analysis
Problem:
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You are in a laboratory where the labels have fallen off three bottles, now
marked only as Solution X, Solution Y, and Solution Z. You are told that the
three bottles contain the following aqueous solutions (not in order):
● Acidified potassium permanganate (KMnO₄/H⁺)
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● Potassium iodide (KI)
● Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)
Your task is to design a simple experimental plan to identify which solution is in
which bottle, based only on the reactions that occur when they are mixed
together.
Available Reagents and Apparatus:
● The three unknown solutions (X, Y, and Z)
● Test tubes
● Droppers
Part A: Experimental Design and Prediction (SBA Skill Area C)
. Outline a systematic procedure for testing the solutions. A logical
approach would involve mixing pairs of the unknown solutions.
. Justify your procedure. Explain why systematically testing each pair
is a valid method for solving this problem.
. Based on your knowledge of redox chemistry, construct a prediction
table. The table should show the expected observation for each
possible combination of the three known chemical solutions.
(Example table format below. You should fill in the expected
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observations.)
KMnO₄/H⁺(aq) KI(aq) H₂O₂(aq)
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KMnO₄/H⁺(aq) N/A
KI(aq) N/A
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H₂O₂(aq) N/A
Part B: Analysis of Results, Deduction, and Equations (SBA Skill Area B)
You carry out the experiment and record the following results:
● Observation 1: Mixing Solution X (purple) and Solution Y (colorless)
produces a dark brown solution.
● Observation 2: Mixing Solution X (purple) and Solution Z (colorless)
causes the purple color to disappear and gas bubbles to form.
● Observation 3: Mixing Solution Y (colorless) and Solution Z
(colorless) produces a dark brown solution.
. Using these observations, deduce the chemical identity of Solution
X, Solution Y, and Solution Z. Explain your step-by-step reasoning,
using all three observations to build a conclusive argument.
. Write the balanced ionic equations for the reactions in all three
positive observations.
. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is described as having a "dual role" in redox
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chemistry. Explain this concept using its reactions with Solution X and
Solution Y as examples. You must refer to the relevant changes in
oxidation states.
Model Answer Key
Part A: Experimental Design and Prediction
. Procedure:
○ Step 1: Place a small amount of Solution X into two separate test
tubes. Add Solution Y to the first test tube and Solution Z to the
second. Record all observations.
○ Step 2: Place a small amount of Solution Y into a third test tube.
Add Solution Z to it. Record all observations.
○ Step 3: Note the initial colors of all solutions before mixing.
. Justification: By systematically testing every possible pair, we can
record all unique reactions. Since each of the three substances has a
distinct pattern of reactivity with the other two, comparing the
observed reaction patterns to the expected patterns will allow for a
definitive identification of all three unknowns.
. Prediction Table:
KMnO₄/H⁺(aq) KI(aq) H₂O₂(aq)
KMnO₄/H⁺(aq) N/A Purple solution Purple solution
turns brown/ is decolorized
dark brown. with
effervescence
(gas bubbles).
KI(aq) Purple solution N/A Colorless
turns brown/ solution turns
dark brown. brown/dark
brown.
H₂O₂(aq) Purple solution Colorless N/A
is decolorized solution turns
with brown/dark
effervescence brown.
(gas bubbles).
Part B: Analysis of Results, Deduction, and Equations
. Deduction and Identification:
○ Step 1: Identify Solution X. The initial color of Solution X is
purple, which is characteristic only of potassium permanganate.
Therefore, Solution X is acidified potassium permanganate
(KMnO₄/H⁺).
○ Step 2: Use Observation 2 to identify Solution Z. Mixing X
(KMnO₄) with Z produces gas bubbles (effervescence) and
decolorization. This is the unique reaction between potassium
○
permanganate and hydrogen peroxide, where H₂O₂ is oxidized to O₂
gas. Therefore, Solution Z is hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂).
○ Step 3: Identify Solution Y and confirm. With X and Z identified,
Y must be potassium iodide by elimination. We can confirm this
using the other observations.
◆ Observation 1: Mixing X (KMnO₄) and Y (KI) gives a brown
solution. This is correct, as permanganate oxidizes iodide ions
to brown iodine (I₂).
◆ Observation 3: Mixing Y (KI) and Z (H₂O₂) gives a brown
solution. This is also correct, as hydrogen peroxide oxidizes
iodide ions to brown iodine (I₂).
○ Conclusion: X = KMnO₄/H⁺, Y = KI, and Z = H₂O₂.
. Ionic Equations:
○ Observation 1 (X + Y): 2MnO₄⁻(aq) + 10I⁻(aq) + 16H⁺(aq) →
2Mn²⁺(aq) + 5I₂(aq) + 8H₂O(l)
○ Observation 2 (X + Z): 2MnO₄⁻(aq) + 5H₂O₂(aq) + 6H⁺(aq) →
2Mn²⁺(aq) + 5O₂(g) + 8H₂O(l)
○ Observation 3 (Y + Z): H₂O₂(aq) + 2I⁻(aq) + 2H⁺(aq) → I₂(aq) +
2H₂O(l) (Note: This reaction is often catalyzed by H⁺)
. Dual Role of Hydrogen Peroxide:
Hydrogen peroxide can act as both an oxidizing agent and a reducing
agent depending on the substance it reacts with.
○ As a Reducing Agent (with Solution X): In the reaction with the
strong oxidizing agent KMnO₄, H₂O₂ reduces the manganese. The
oxidation state of oxygen in H₂O₂ is -1, and it is oxidized to 0 in O₂
gas. It donates electrons.
○ As an Oxidizing Agent (with Solution Y): In the reaction with the
reducing agent KI, H₂O₂ oxidizes the iodide ions. The oxidation
state of oxygen in H₂O₂ is -1, and it is reduced to -2 in H₂O. It
accepts electrons.