Acid and Bases in Redox Reaction

[TanveerDhaliwal3G]

How do acids and bases factor into redox reaction and how do we know which side to add H+ and OH-?

[Julie Park 1G]

You may be asked to balance an equation (involving acids/bases) by using oxidation and reduction half-reactions.
First, you would identify the reduction and oxidation components of the reaction.
Then, you would balance the two equations, except for the number of H and O.
To balance the number of O, and H2O
To balance the number of H, add H+ (if an acidic solution is involved) or OH- (if basic solution is involved) to the side of the equation that has the lesser number of H
Then, balance the total charges by adding e- where needed

[Kassidy Ford 1I]

The question will usually state if the reaction is taking place in a basic or acidic conditions. Usually you will need to use H2O to balance excess oxygen, when you do this you will then add either H+ or OH- to the other side of the reaction to then balance the excess hydrogen from the H2O. If it is basic conditions, you add OH- and if it is acidic conditions you add H+.

[charleejohnson1L]

The question will usually state if the reaction is taking place in a basic or acidic conditions. Usually you will need to use H2O to balance excess oxygen, when you do this you will then add either H+ or OH- to the other side of the reaction to then balance the excess hydrogen from the H2O. If it is basic conditions, you add OH- and if it is acidic conditions you add H+.

^^ this! and make sure after you balance the elements, you balance the charge as well. :)

[ABombino_2J]

You add H+ to the half reactions to balance the hydrogens on either side. You add OH- to both sides to the entire creation to get rid of H+ and turn it into H2O when you are balancing in basic solution.