Redox Reactions

Oxidation and Reduction Reactions (3:55)

Balancing Redox Reactions:

Both atoms and charges must balance!

Steps for balancing a redox reaction in acidic solution:

• • 1. Split into half-reactions

    2. for each half-reaction balance all non-hydrogen or oxygen atoms

    3. Balance oxygens atoms using water

    4. Balance hydrogens using H+

    5. Balance charge by adding electrons

    6. Check atoms and charges

    7. Make electrons in each half-reaction equal and add them together

       • You might wonder why the number of electrons is important: the potential we measure will depend on the number of electrons in the redox process

How to Balance Redox Reactions in Acidic Solution (14:59)