Balancing redox equations
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Topic Notes
In this lesson, we will learn:
- To recall the two methods for completing full redox equations.
- How to complete redox equations using oxidation numbers.
- How to complete redox equations using half-equations.
Notes:
- We have seen two ways to work with redox reactions:
- We can split the redox reaction in half to show the reduction and oxidation processes separately. This gives us two half-equations.
These half-equations show the electrons lost or gained in the separate processes, and the number of electrons must match in the overall equation. - We can assign oxidation numbers to the atoms involved in the reaction. Some oxidation numbers will change from reactants to products as atoms are either reduced or oxidized. The overall change in oxidation numbers must be zero in the overall equation to balance out.
- We can split the redox reaction in half to show the reduction and oxidation processes separately. This gives us two half-equations.
- This will depend on your curriculum, but generally to start a redox question, you will only be given compounds containing major atoms.
In practice, this means an unbalanced equation with no H+ or H2O present. You must complete the redox equation from this point. In this lesson we will practice completing and balancing them. - Worked example using half-equations:
Cr(OH)3 + Cl2 → CrO42- + Cl-
This equation needs to be split into its half equations. This is done by separating the species with major atoms into separate equations:Equation 1: Cr(OH)3 → CrO42- Equation 2: Cl2 → Cl-
First for equation 1, balance the major atoms. The Cr is already balanced so no change:Cr(OH)3→CrO42-
Then equation 2 where the Cl atoms need to be balanced:Cl2→2CL-
Next, balance the oxygen atoms:Equation 1: Cr(OH)3 + H2O→ CrO42- Equation 2: Cl2 → 2Cl-
Next, balance the hydrogen atoms:Equation 1: Cr(OH)3 + H2O → CrO42-+ 5 H+ Equation 2: Cl2 → 2Cl-
Finally, balance the charge:Equation 1: Cr(OH)3 + H2O → CrO42- + 5 H+ + 3e- Equation 2: 2e- + Cl2 → 2Cl-
Now with two complete half-equations, we need to re-combine them with an equal number of electrons on both sides. Three are transferred in equation 1, only two are transferred in equation 2, so if we multiply both equations to have six on both sides we will balance:Equation 1: 2 x [ Cr(OH)3 + H2O→CrO42- + 5H+ + 3e- ] Equation 2: 3 x [ 2e- + Cl2→2Cl- ]
Multiplying and combining these equations with the electrons removed gives us a final balanced redox equation. This is the final equation; atoms and charge must balance now!Full equation: 2Cr(OH)3 + 2H2O + 3Cl2→2CrO42- + 10H+ + 6Cl-
Worked example using oxidation numbers:SO32- + Cr2O72-→SO42- + Cr3+
The total change in oxidation number must be zero. First, calculate oxidation numbers of the major atoms in the reactants and products.
Reactants:
Sulfur in SO32-, oxidation state +4 (-6 due to oxygen, +4 in sulfur gives 2- overall charge).
Chromium in Cr2O72-, Oxidation state +6 (-14 due to oxygen, +6 for two Cr atoms gives 2- overall charge).
Products:
Sulfur in SO42-, oxidation state +6 (-8 due to oxygen, +6 in sulfur gives 2- overall charge).
Chromium in Cr3+ ion, oxidation state +3.
ΔOS for sulfur = +2 (from +4 to +6)
ΔOS for chromium = -3 x 2 Cr atoms (from +6 to +3) = -6
ΔOS must balance to zero, therefore:
3 x SO32-→SO42- gives total ΔOS of +6
1 x Cr2O72-→Cr3+ gives total ΔOS of -6
This balances the oxidation state.
Balance major atoms:3SO32- + Cr2O72-→3SO42- + 2Cr3+
Now, balance oxygen with H2O:3SO32- + Cr2O72-→3SO42- + 2Cr3+ + 4H2O
Next, balance hydrogen with H+:3SO32- + Cr2O72- + 8H+→3SO42- + 2Cr3+ + 4H2O
Check that the charge is balanced:3SO32- + Cr2O72- + 8H+→3SO42- + 2Cr3+ + 4H2O
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