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High School Chemistry : Balancing Oxidation-Reduction Reactions

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Example Question #31 : Chemical Reactions

What is the coefficient on sulfur dioxide if the following redox reaction is balanced in an acidic solution?

$SO_{2} + Cr_{2}O_{7}^{2-} \rightarrow SO_{4}^{2-} + Cr^{3+}$

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Balancing redox reactions involves the following steps:

1. Divide the reaction into oxidation and reduction half reactions and balance all atoms that are not oxygen and hydrogen:

$SO_{2} \rightarrow SO_{4}^{2-}$

$Cr_{2}O_{7}^{2-} \rightarrow 2Cr^{3+}$

2. Balance the oxygens by adding water molecules on the opposite side of the reactions:

$2H_{2}O + SO_{2} \rightarrow SO_{4}^{2-}$

$Cr_{2}O_{7}^{2-} \rightarrow 2Cr^{3+} + 7H_{2}O$

3. Balance the hydrogens by adding protons to the opposite side of the equation:

$2H_{2}O + SO_{2} \rightarrow SO_{4}^{2-} + 4H^{+}$

$14H^{+} + Cr_{2}O_{7}^{2-} \rightarrow 2Cr^{3+} + 7H_{2}O$

4. Add electrons in order to equal the charges on both sides of the equation:

$2H_{2}O + SO_{2} \rightarrow SO_{4}^{2-} + 4H^{+} + 2e^{-}$

$6e^{-} + 14H^{+} + Cr_{2}O_{7}^{2-} \rightarrow 2Cr^{3+} + 7H_{2}O$

5. In order to make the electron exchange equal in each half step, we must multiply the top half reaction by 3:

$6H_{2}O + 3SO_{2} \rightarrow 3SO_{4}^{2-} + 12H^{+} + 6e^{-}$

$6e^{-} + 14H^{+} + Cr_{2}O_{7}^{2-} \rightarrow 2Cr^{3+} + 7H_{2}O$

6. Add up the reactants and products while cancelling out substances on opposite sides of the reactions. For example: we will cancel the 6 water molecules as reactants and be left with only one water molecule as a product. In addition, only 2 protons will be left on the reactant's side after canceling the 12 from the product's side.

$Cr_{2}O_{7}^{2-} + 3SO_{2} + 2H^{+} \rightarrow 2Cr^{3+} + 3SO_{4}^{2-} + H_{2}O$

In the balanced redox reaction, the coefficient on sulfur dioxide is 3.

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Example Question #2 : Balancing Oxidation Reduction Reactions

For the following unbalanced redox reaction, how many electrons are transferred and which chemical species is being oxidized?

$PF_2I_{(l)}+Hg_{(l)}\rightarrow P_2F_4_{(g)}+Hg_2I_2_{(s)}$

Possible Answers:

Two electrons are transferred; Hg is oxidized

One electron is transferred; Hg is oxidized

Two electrons are transferred; P is oxidized

One electron is transferred; P is oxidized

Correct answer:

Two electrons are transferred; Hg is oxidized

Explanation:

To begin, we will need to separate the given reaction into the two half-reactions by identifying changes in oxidation number. In this case, mercury (Hg) and phosphorus (P) show a change in oxidation number. Mercury begins with an oxidation number of zero, and ends with an oxidation number of . Phosphorus begins with an oxidation number of and ends with an oxidation number of . Note that the oxidation numbers for fluorine and iodine reamain constant at for each.

Now we can begin to look at the half-reactions.

$PF_2I_{(l)}\rightarrow P_2F_4_{(g)}$

$Hg_{(l)}\rightarrow Hg_2I_2_{(s)}$

Balance the atoms.

$2PF_2I_{(l)}\rightarrow P_2F_4_{(g)}$

$2Hg_{(l)}\rightarrow Hg_2I_2_{(s)}$

Now balance the electrons. We know that each mercury atom loses one electron and each fluorine atom gains one electron.

$2PF_2I_{(l)}+2e^-\rightarrow P_2F_4_{(g)}$

$2Hg \rightarrow Hg_2I_2_{(s)}+2e^{-}$

We can see that two electrons are tranferred. To identify the element being oxidized, we must find the element that is losing electrons. In this case, mercury is being oxidized.

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Example Question #1 : Balancing Oxidation Reduction Reactions

Oxidation is the __________ of electrons, reduction is the __________ of electrons.

Possible Answers:

loss . . . loss

gain . . . gain

None of these; it depends on the reaction.

loss . . . gain

gain . . . loss

Correct answer:

loss . . . gain

Explanation:

An oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction is a reaction where electrons are transferred between two substances. When an atom is oxidized, it is called the reducing agent, and it loses a number of electrons. Similarly, a reduced atom is called the oxidizing agent, and gains the same number of electrons. A popular mnemonic to help remember is OIL RIG, or Oxidation is Loss of electrons, Reduction is Gain of electrons.

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High School Chemistry : Balancing Oxidation-Reduction Reactions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for High School Chemistry

All High School Chemistry Resources

Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Chemical Reactions

Example Question #2 : Balancing Oxidation Reduction Reactions

Example Question #1 : Balancing Oxidation Reduction Reactions

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