Page 8 - Redox Reactions
P. 8
BALANCING OF CHEMICAL EQUATIONS
OXIDATION NUMBER METHOD
The certain rules are as follows
A. Assign oxidation number to the atoms showing a change in oxidation state.
B. Balance the total number of atoms undergoing change in oxidation state.
C. Balance the number of electrons gained and lost.
D. Balance [O] on both sides by adding H 2O.
+
E. Balance H atoms by adding H ions
–
F. If the reaction proceeds in basic solution add sufficient number of OH ions on both sides
ION ELECTRON METHOD
The rules are as follows:
A. Split up the reaction into two half reactions showing oxidation and reduction separately.
B. Balance number of atoms undergoing the change of oxidation state.
C. Balance O on both sides by adding H 2O.
+
D. Balance H atoms by adding H ions.
E. Balance charge by adding required number of electrons
F. Make the number of electrons equal in two half reactions by multiplying with suitable
coefficient.
G. Add the two half reactions
