Balancing Redox Equations The Half-Reaction Method
Step 1: Divide the skeleton reaction into two half-reactions, each of
which contains the oxidized and reduced forms of one of the
species.
Step 2: Balance the atoms and charges in each half-reaction.
æ Atoms are balanced in the following order: Atoms other than
O and H, then O, and then H.
æ Charge is balanced by adding electrons (e-). To the left for the
reduction eqn., and to the right for the oxidation eqn.
Step 3: Multiply each half-reaction by an integer to make the
number of e- gained in the reduction equal the number of e-
lost in the oxidation. (Least Common Denominator)
Step 4: Add the balanced half-reactions. Include states of matter.
Step 5: Check that the atoms and charges are balanced.
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