Acidic vs. Basic Solution

[005917072]

How are the steps for balancing a basic solution different from balancing an acidic one?

[Jolene Robles 2H]

When balancing redox reactions in acidic solutions you balance oxygen atoms by adding H2O and then balance the hydrogen atoms by adding H+ while in a basic solution, you add the same number of OH^- as there H+ to both sides of the reaction. The H+ will then be eliminated/crossed causing OH^- to remain on the other side of the reaction.

[Carrie Hester 2H]

In an acidic solution, the first step is to balance the atoms of each element in the equation. Then, you add H₂O to balance the oxygen atoms and H⁺ ions to balance the hydrogen atoms. After that, you add electrons to balance the charges on both sides of the equation. Finally, you balance the charges by adding H⁺ ions to one side or OH⁻ ions to the other side as needed. In a basic solution, you follow the same steps as in an acidic solution, up to the point where the equation is balanced in terms of atoms and charges. However, in a basic solution, you have excess OH⁻ ions present. Therefore, after balancing the equation in terms of atoms and charges, you need to neutralize the excess H⁺ ions by adding an equal number of OH⁻ ions to both sides of the equation. This step ensures that the solution remains electrically neutral.