Question

Which chemical is used to prepare oxygen in the laboratory?

• A. Hydrochloric acid
• B. Calcium carbonate
• C. Sodium hydroxide
• D. Potassium permanganate

Answer 1

Answer:

D. Potassium permanganate

• Potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) is a strong oxidizing agent that is commonly used in the laboratory to prepare oxygen gas. When potassium permanganate is heated, it decomposes to produce oxygen gas:

2KMnO₄ → K₂MnO₄ + MnO₂ + O₂

This reaction is often used in laboratory settings to generate oxygen gas for various experiments and demonstrations.