Balancing Redox Reactions using Half Reactions
See redox reaction, Half Reactions
When a reactions is presented as a redox equation, it includes both an oxidation and reduction component
Steps
- Write an unbalanced net-ionic equation
- Separate net-ionic equation into two half reactions
- Balance the two half reactions for either acidic or basic conditions
- Make sure number of electrons lost == gained between reactions
- Add half reactions together, and simplify
Example
Balance:
for acidic conditions.
solution
Write an unbalanced net-ionic equation
Separate net-ionic equation into half reactions
Balance the two half reactions for acidic conditions
Make sure electrons lost == gained
Add half reactions together, and simplify
Example
Balance:
solution
Write an unbalanced net-ionic equation
Separate net-ionic equation into half reactions
Balance the two half reactions for basic conditions
Make sure electrons lost == gained
Add half reactions and simplify