Manganese

Atomic # = 25
Atomic weight = 54.938

Manganese is used in zinc batteries.  The chemical reaction that gives energy to zinc batteries is:

Zn(s) + 2 MnO₂(s) →ZnO(s) + Mn₂O₃ (s).

Manganese is also found in the enzyme that catalyzes the initial reaction in photosynthesis, which happens to be:

2 H₂O → 4 H⁺ + 4 electrons + O₂

Finally, Manganese forms ions that exist in a variety of oxidation states.  Solutions of these ions each have a particular color:  Mn²⁺ is light pink, Mn³⁺ is red-brown; Mn⁴⁺ is brown, Mn⁵⁺ is blue, Mn⁶⁺ is green and Mn⁷⁺ is a deep purple.

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