Laboratory Preparation of Oxygen

Oxygen can be prepared in the lab by the thermal decomposition of potassium permanganate.

This process involves heating dark purple crystals to release life-sustaining oxygen gas. The reaction decomposes

the compound into potassium manganate, manganese dioxide, and oxygen gas. In a typical

setup, the solid is placed inside a heat-resistant glass container. As the temperature

rises, the decomposition begins and oxygen gas starts to evolve. We collect the

gas using the displacement of water method in the laboratory. This works because

oxygen is only slightly soluble in water, making it easy to capture.

This method provides a convenient source of pure oxygen for various scientific demonstrations.