Half Reactions

[EthanPham_1G]

Why do we have to split the reaction into half reactions? What if there are many reactants and products that it needs more than two half-reactions?

[Vicki Liu 2L]

Splitting redox reactions into half reactions makes it easier to study what is going on. In the overall reaction, electrons are not included but when you separate it into half reactions, you can see more clearly which reactant donates and which loses electrons.
I don't think we would be given redox reactions that are too complex to be represented by two half reactions.

[Caitlyn Tran 2E]

We probably won't be given anything that needs to be split up into anything more than half reactions. After all, in redox reactions, something is oxidized and something is reduced, so one half reaction shows the oxidation and one half reaction shows the reduction. Hope this helps!

[Paul Hage 2G]

Splitting the overall reaction into half reactions is also helpful when balancing redox reactions. This makes it easier to balance the H and the O atoms separately using H20 and H+ ions. It also helps to determine the total electrons needed to balance charges in the reaction.

[BCaballero_4F]

It is very helpful to split into half reactions when we are trying to balance them, so I think that is why

[Maya Pakulski 1D]

Splitting the overall reaction into half reactions is also helpful when balancing redox reactions. This makes it easier to balance the H and the O atoms separately using H20 and H+ ions. It also helps to determine the total electrons needed to balance charges in the reaction.

Is balancing the reaction the only reason to use redox reaction?

[Eunice Nguyen 4I]

You split the reaction in half so that you can easily notice how many H+ and H2Os you'll need in order to balance the equation, plus the electrons. There should be the same amount of each on both sides after balancing.

[Justin Sarquiz 2F]

Splitting the reaction into half reactions will be useful when we get to galvanic cells. The half reactions help determine which reaction is occurring in each container and help see what is occurring in the galvanic cell.