Chapter 5, Problem 90RQ

Potable water (drinking water) should not have manganese concentrations in excess of 0.05 mg/mL. If the manganese concentration is greater than 0.1 mg/mL, it imparts a foul taste to the water and discolors laundry and porcelain surfaces. Manganese(II) ion is oxidized to permanganate ion by bismuthate ion, ${\text{BiO}}_3^{-}$, in an acidic solution. In the reaction, ${\text{BiO}}_3^{-}$ is reduced to ${\text{Bi}}^{\text{3+}}$.

(a) Write a balanced net ionic equation for the reaction.

(b) How many milligrams of ${\text{NaBiO}}_{\text{3}}$ are needed to oxidize the manganese in 18.5 mg of manganese(II) sulfate?