Balancing Redox Equations

In earlier sections of this chapter, we showed how to write and balance equations for precipitation reactions (Section 4.2) and acid-base reactions (Section 4.3). In this section we will concentrate on balancing redox equations, given the identity of reactants and products. To do that, it is convenient to introduce a new concept, oxidation number. 

K.l Write a balanced equation for each of the following skeletal redox reactions ... 

The key to writing and balancing equations for redox reactions is to think of the reduction and oxidation processes individually. We saw in Section K that oxidation is the loss of electrons and reduction the gain of electrons. 

Balancing the chemical equation for a redox reaction by inspection can be a real challenge, especially for one taking place in aqueous solution, when water may participate and we must include HzO and either H+ or OH. In such cases, it is easier to simplify the equation by separating it into its reduction and oxidation half-reactions, balance the half-reactions separately, and then add them together to obtain the balanced equation for the overall reaction. When adding the equations for half-reactions, we match the number of electrons released by oxidation with the number used in reduction, because electrons are neither created nor destroyed in chemical reactions. The procedure is outlined in Toolbox 12.1 and illustrated in Examples 12.1 and 12.2. 

EXAMPLE 12.1 Sample exercise Balancing a redox equation in acidic solution... 

C04-0112. Predict the product(s) of the following reactions by writing balanced equations. When the reaction involves ions, write a net ionic equation. Identify each reaction as precipitation, acid-base, or redox. 

Some redox reactions have relatively simple stoichiometry and can be balanced by inspection. Others are much more complicated. Because redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons from one species to another, electrical charges must be considered explicitly when balancing complicated redox equations. 

The key to balancing complicated redox equations is to balance electrons as well as atoms. Because electrons do not appear in chemical formulas or balanced net reactions, however, the number of electrons transferred in a redox reaction often is not obvious. To balance complicated redox reactions, therefore, we need a procedure that shows the electrons involved in the oxidation and the reduction. One such procedure separates redox reactions into two parts, an oxidation and a reduction. Each part is a half-reaction that describes half of the overall redox process. 

The first step In balancing a redox reaction is to divide the unbalanced equation into half-reactions. Identify the participants in each half-reaction by noting that each half-reaction must be balanced. That Is, each element In each half-reaction must be conserved. Consequently, any element that appears as a reactant In a half-reaction must also appear among the products. Hydrogen and oxygen frequently appear in both half-reactions, but other elements usually appear In just one of the half-reactions. Water, hydronium ions, and hydroxide ions often play roles In the overall stoichiometry of redox reactions occurring in aqueous solution. Chemists frequently omit these species in preliminary descriptions of such redox reactions. 

The net ionic equation is obtained by balancing the redox reaction. First we determine the half-reactions ... 

First we will need to come up with a balanced equation for the overall redox reaction. 

We have seen how analytical calculations in titrimetric analysis involve stoichiometry (Sections 4.5 and 4.6). We know that a balanced chemical equation is needed for basic stoichiometry. With redox reactions, balancing equations by inspection can be quite challenging, if not impossible. Thus, several special schemes have been derived for balancing redox equations. The ion-electron method for balancing redox equations takes into account the electrons that are transferred, since these must also be balanced. That is, the electrons given up must be equal to the electrons taken on. A review of the ion-electron method of balancing equations will therefore present a simple means of balancing redox equations. 

Make sure you learn to apply each of the above steps. Look over the individual examples and make sure you understand them separately. Then make sure you learn the order of these steps. Linally, balance redox reactions this will take a lot of practice. Make sure that you reach the point of being able to consistently balance equations without looking at the rules. 

In this chapter, you will be introduced to oxidation-reduction reactions, also called redox reactions. You will discover how to identify this type of reaction. You will also find out how to balance equations for a redox reaction. 

To monitor the transfer of electrons in a redox reaction, you can represent the oxidation and reduction separately. A half-reaction is a balanced equation that shows the number of electrons involved in either oxidation or reduction. Because a redox reaction involves both oxidation and reduction, two half-reactions are needed to represent a redox reaction. One half-reaction shows oxidation, and the other half-reaction shows reduction. 

In section 10.1, you learned to divide the balanced equations for some redox reactions into separate oxidation and reduction half-reactions. You will now use the reverse approach, and discover how to write a balanced equation by combining two half-reactions. To do this, you must first understand how to write a wide range of half-reactions. 

A redox reaction involves the transfer of electrons between reactants. A reactant that loses electrons is oxidized and acts as a reducing agent. A reactant that gains electrons is reduced and acts as an oxidizing agent. Redox reactions can be represented by balanced equations. 

In this section, you learned the half-reaction method for balancing equations for redox reactions. You investigated the redox reactions of metals with acids, and the combustion of two hydrocarbons. After applying the half-reaction method in the following review problems, you will learn a different method in section 10.4. This method will make greater use of oxidation numbers. 

In section 10.2, you learned that a redox reaction involves changes in oxidation numbers. If an element undergoes oxidation, its oxidation number increases. If an element undergoes reduction, its oxidation number decreases. When balancing equations by the half-reaction method in section 10.3, you sometimes used oxidation numbers to determine the reactant(s) and product(s) in each half-reaction. 

In this section, you will write balanced equations for redox reactions using the oxidation number method... 

O Nickel and copper are both very important to the Ontario economy. Before they can be refined by electrolysis, they must be extracted from their ores. Both metals can be extracted from a sulfide ore, NiS or CU2S. The sulfide is roasted to form an oxide, and then the oxide is reduced to the metal. Research the extraction processes for both nickel and copper, and write balanced equations for the redox reactions involved. One product of each extraction process is sulfur dioxide. Research the environmental effects of this compound. Describe any steps taken to decrease these effects. 

Here s a summary of the method for balancing a redox reaction equation for a reaction under acidic conditions (excess H+) (see the next section for details on balancing a reaction under basic conditions) ... 

Follow the seven steps for balancing a redox reaction equation under acidic conditions ... 

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