How much charge is required for the reduction of 1 mol of MnO4− to Mn2+?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → 5F
By Faraday’s laws, the charge needed to reduce one mole of a species equals the number of electrons (n) it gains per formula unit multiplied by the Faraday constant, the charge on one mole of electrons:
\( \displaystyle Q=n\,F \quad \quad 1\ F=96487\ \mathrm{C\,mol^{-1}} \)
Find n from the change in oxidation state of manganese. In \( \ce{MnO4^-} \), Mn is +7 (x + 4(−2) = −1); in \( \ce{Mn^{2+}} \), it is +2:
\( \displaystyle n=(+7)-(+2)=5 \)
\( \displaystyle \ce{MnO4^- + 8H^+ + 5e^- -> Mn^2+ + 4H2O} \)
\( \displaystyle Q=5\times F=5F \)
So the quantity of charge required is 5F (5 × 96487 C = 482435 C).
Note 1: This question is from NCERT (2026-27). NTA sets numerical questions from NCERT too, so do not ignore NCERT while practising numericals.
NCERT (2026-27 edition):
Exercises – “2.12 How much charge is required for the following reductions: … (iii) 1 mol of MnO4– to Mn2+?”
Note 2: The same/similar question has been asked in different years by NTA as per the details given below:
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07-06 S2 25-05 S2 | – | – | – | 20-08 S1 10-08 S1 |