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__ Introduction __

When a diluted solution of permanganate is slowly reduced to colloidally dispersed manganese oxide, then arange of colors is traversed, starting from purple and ending in brown.

__ Materials __
 * Glass Beaker
 * Potassium Permanganate (a few mm³)
 * Saccharose (1500 mg)
 * Safety Goggles
 * Sodium Hydroxide (500mg)
 * Spatula
 * Test Tube
 * Water (a few ml)

__Procedure:__
1. Dissolve a very small amount of potassium permanganate in a few ml of water in a test tube until the solution turns to purple. It really is important not to use too much potassium permanganate, otherwise the solutions simply looks black and then the experiment is not really impressive.

2. Put 100 ml of water in the beaker and add a spatula full of solid sodium hydroxide (500 mg or so) and add three spatula's full of sugar (around 1500 mg). Dissolve all the solid material, such that a colorless and clear solution is obtained.

3. Pour the contents of the test tube into the 100 ml of sugar solution and swirl, such that the liquid is mixed well. Then let the beaker stand for a while and watch the color change from purple to brown. This may take a few minutes.

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