Balancing Redox Reactions in Acidic / Basic Conditions

[904936893]

Can someone explain how to balance redox reactions in acidic or basic conditions? How do you know what to use to balance out everything???

[caseygilles 1E]

The steps to balance a redox reaction for acids is:
Step 1: identify the species being reduced/oxidized
Step 2: write the skeletal equation for reduction/oxidation
Step 3: balance all elements except H and O
Step 4: balance O atoms by adding H2O to a side of the reaction
balance H atoms by adding H+
Step 5: balance the net charges by adding electrons

The steps to balance a redox reaction for bases is:
Step 1: identify the species being reduced/oxidized
Step 2: write the skeletal equation for reduction/oxidation
Step 3: balance all elements except H and O
Step 4: balance O by adding H2O
then balance H by adding H2O to side that needs H and OH- to other side
Step 5: balance the net charges by adding electrons