basic

[jane_ni_2d]

When balancing basic reactions, how can you tell how many -OH should be added?

[Chloe Thorpe 1J]

It usually works to add the amount of H2O needed to one side and double the amount of OH- to the other side [e.g. you need 4 moles of oxygen: add 4 moles of H2O to one side and 8 moles of OH- to the other]. It just takes a lot of trial and error, for me, but it gets easier the more you do it!

[Chloe Thorpe 1J]

7th edition 6K5 is a good practice problem for that.

[Lynsea_Southwick_2K]

Basic solutions: balance O using H2O; then H using H2O to the side of each half rxn that needs H and then adding OH to the other side.
If there ends up being H2O on both sides you simplify