Why is potassium permanganate acidified?



Answers:
KMnO4 is a powerful oxidising agent, which means that it undergoes reduction according to the following half reaction equation

MnO4 + 8H^+ + 5e = Mn^2+ + 4H2O

As you can see the reduction cannot take place unless H^+ is present.and the easiest way to have this, is to add acid!
It is because the manganate ions take up hydrogen atoms hence the name pH (power of hydrogen).
i like the 2ed answer but still not specific

The answers post by the user, for information only, UKQnA.com does not guarantee the right.

  • if the thickness of lead is (g cm-2 1(Bq) what is the 10th thickness?
  • what constitutes a genius?
  • how does a magnet in hi fi speakers work?
  • I used the term 'Foo Foo valve in an answer and had 10 points deducted.What's your interpretation of this term
  • Medicine is an art form rather that an scientific discipline?
  • What is your explanation why we speak English nowadays?
  • why do..?
  • is there an end in the universe or does it keep creatin its self on and on cus evrythin has another side?