Final answer:
Without the full balanced chemical equation for the reaction between H2S and acidified potassium permanganate, it is impossible to determine the exact number of moles of water produced (x) or moles of electrons involved (y), hence we cannot correctly solve for the value of (x + y).
Step-by-step explanation:
The question revolves around a chemical reaction between hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and acidified potassium permanganate where water (H2O) is produced alongside sulfur ions (S2-) and oxidized products of H2S. To determine the value of (x + y), we need the balanced chemical equation for the reaction, which isn't fully provided here, however, some information can be deduced. It is known that hydrogen sulfide reacts to form water and each H2S molecule would theoretically produce 2 H2O molecules if completely oxidized. However, without the full balanced equation for the reaction with potassium permanganate, we cannot definitively solve for the values of x and y.
Commonly, potassium permanganate reactions are as follows:
- KMnO4 + H2S → MnO2 + H2O + S
- KMnO4 + H2S + Acid → K2SO4 + MnSO4 + H2O + S
Considering the second generic reaction in the presence of acid, 2 moles of H2S would produce 2 moles of water (H2O), and using the number of moles of H2S provided (5 moles), we would theoretically have 5 moles of water produced (x = 5). The number of moles of electrons (y) transferred would depend on the oxidation states of the reactants and products, which we cannot determine without the full balanced equation for the reaction. Therefore, we cannot find the exact number of y or the correct value for (x + y) without additional information.