Balancing Redox Reactions

[ShravanPatel2B]

When balancing redox reactions is it smart to begin with finding the oxidation states of each individual species or is there a method to quicker identify which species are being reduced and oxidized?

[Daniel Honeychurch1C]

In the example in class, the oxidation states of the atoms were given in the complete reaction. All we had to do was balance the half reactions using the atoms and their ions given in the complete equation.

[Astrid Lunde 1I]

To write the half reactions you need find out what is being oxidized and reduced which you do by finding the oxidation number for each species present.

[Victoria Zheng--2F]

When balancing redox reactions the safe method is to first find all the oxidation states of each species and then decide what is being reduced and oxidized, which will minimize errors.

[Chantel_2I]

Overall, just be sure both the electrons gained or lost on the left are equal to those gained or lost on the right. Usually, the oxidation states are the most obvious sign to use to balance the reactions.

[Junwei Sun 4I]

It is safer to first write out all the oxidation number of the species in the reaction so that you can clearly see what is being reduced and what is being oxidized.