calculating n

[Emma Wruck 2A]

Could somebody explain how to determine in if half reactions have different amounts of electrons transferred?

[Sono Fukushima 2D]

Half reactions include the transferred electrons in the equation. N can be found by balancing the amount of electrons transferred in two reactions and balancing the question according to that, since n = number of electrons transferred.

[606025647]

first you can write each half reaction and find the amount of electrons transferred for each half reaction at its simplest state. Then, if the two half reactions have a different number of electrons, you have to balance all of both half reactions so the ratios stay the same but n is equal for both.

[Isabelle Huerta 2I]

When determining if half-reactions involve different amounts of transferred electrons, we have to examine the change in oxidation states for reactants and products. We have to look for discrepancies in the num of electrons gained/lost by each species. If there are any discrepancies, then the half-reactions will have differing amounts of transferred electrons. Balancing the overall redox reaction will mean that we need to adjust the coefficients of the half-reactions to make sure the same number of electrons are being transferred to reactants and products.