OXIDATION-REDUCTION (Redox) REACTION AND BALANCING

Learning Competencies:
The learners:
1. Determine the oxidation number of an element
2. Differentiate between oxidation and reduction reaction
3. Identify the reducing agent and oxidizing agent
4. Balance redox equation

Topic Outline:
Definition of terms
Determination of oxidation number of an element in a molecule
Balancing redox equation

Oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions include all chemical reaction in which atoms have their
oxidation state change. Redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons between substances.
Redox reactions composed of two reactions: oxidation reaction and reduction reaction. These two
reactions occur simultaneously, meaning there will be no oxidation reaction without reduction reaction.
The oxidation alone and the reduction alone are each called a half-reaction, because two half-
reactions always occur together to form a whole reaction. When writing half-reactions, the gained or lost
electrons are typically included explicitly in order that the half-reaction be balanced with respect to electric
charge. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redox)

Definition of Terms:
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redox
 Oxidation is the loss of electrons or an increase in oxidation state by a molecule, atom, or ion.
 Reduction is the gain of electrons or a decrease in oxidation state by a molecule, atom, or ion.
 Oxidation state (number) is the apparent charge on an atom in a compound; a way of accounting
for where the electrons are most likely to be in a compound. (Chemistry by Fred H. Redmore)
Taken from General Chemistry by Petrucci, Harwood and Herring
 Oxidizing agent (oxidant) makes possible an oxidation process by itself being reduced.
 Reducing agent (reductant) makes possible a reduction process by itself becoming oxidized.
 Half-reaction describes one portion of an overall oxidation-reduction reaction, either the oxidation
or the reduction.

Rules Determining oxidation states (http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Analytical_Chemistry/Electrochemistry/

Oxidation_States_(Oxidation_Numbers)

1. The oxidation state of an uncombined element is zero. This applies regardless of the structure of the element: Xe,  Cl2, S8,
and large structures of carbon or silicon each have an oxidation state of zero.
2. The sum of the oxidation states of all the atoms or ions in a neutral compound is zero.
3. The sum of the oxidation states of all the atoms in an ion is equal to the charge on the ion.
4. The more electronegative element in a substance is assigned a negative oxidation state. The less electronegative
element is assigned a positive oxidation state. Remember that electronegativity is greatest at the top-right of the periodic
table and decreases toward the bottom-left. 
5. Some elements almost always have the same oxidation states in their compounds:

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Element Usual oxidation state Exceptions

Group 1 metals Always +1  
Group 2 metals Always +2  
Oxygen Usually -2 Peroxides and F2O (see below)
Hydrogen Usually +1 Metal hydrides (-1) (see below)
Fluorine Always -1  
Chlorine usually -1 Compounds with O or F (see below)

The reasons for the exceptions:

1. Hydrogen in the metal hydrides: Metal hydrides include compounds like sodium hydride, NaH. Here the hydrogen exists
as a hydride ion, H-. The oxidation state of a simple ion like hydride is equal to the charge on the ion—in this case, -1.
2. Alternatively, the sum of the oxidation states in a neutral compound is zero. Because Group 1 metals always have an
oxidation state of +1 in their compounds, it follows that the hydrogen must have an oxidation state of -1 (+1 -1 = 0).
3. Oxygen in peroxides: Peroxides include hydrogen peroxide, H2O2. This is an electrically neutral compound, so the sum
of the oxidation states of the hydrogen and oxygen must be zero.
4. Because each hydrogen has an oxidation state of +1, each oxygen must have an oxidation state of -1 to balance it.
5. Oxygen in F2O: The deviation here stems from the fact that oxygen is less electronegative than fluorine; the fluorine takes
priority with an oxidation state of -1. Because the compound is neutral, the oxygen has an oxidation state of +2.
6. Chlorine in compounds with fluorine or oxygen: Because chlorine adopts such a wide variety of oxidation states in
these compounds, it is safer to simply remember that its oxidation state is not -1, and work the correct state out using
fluorine or oxygen as a reference. An example of this situation is given below. 

Examples:

1. What is the oxidation state of Cl-1? Answer: -1

2. What is the oxidation state of Cr+2? Answer: +2
Note: for a simple ion like examples 1 and 2 the oxidation state is equal to the charge of the ion.

3. What is the oxidation state of Cr in CrCl3? Answer: +3

Since it is a neutral compound, the sum of the oxidation states is 0. Chlorine has an oxidation state of -1, so:
x + 3(-1) = 0; then x = +3

4. What is the oxidation state of chromium in Cr(H 2O)63+? Answer: +3

This is an ion and so the sum of the oxidation states is equal to the charge on the ion, since metal atom is
surrounded by electrically neutral molecules like water or ammonia the sum of the oxidation state in the
attached neutral molecule is zero. So the oxidation state of Cr is +3

5. What is the oxidation state of copper in CuSO4? Answer: +2

CuSO4 is an ionic compound containing a copper ion and a sulfate ion, SO42-. To form an electrically neutral
compound, the copper must be present as a Cu2+ ion. The oxidation state is therefore +2.

Using oxidation states to identify what has been oxidized and what has been reduced

Examples: Determine what substance is oxidized and reduced. What is the oxidizing agent and reducing
agent?

1.
2
 Answers: Mg = oxidized
H = reduced
Cl = not oxidized nor reduced
Solution using oxidation states:

2. NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H2O

This is not a redox reaction, since none of the elements has been oxidized or reduced
Solution: using oxidation states

Examples: For each of the following reactions, identify:

             The Oxidizing Agent.
             The Reducing Agent.
             The Substance Oxidized.
             The Substance Reduced.

 
1.       I-1          +          Cl2       ---------->                    Cl-1       +          I2
                       Substance oxidized     I-                        Substance reduced      Cl2           
                        Reducing agent           I- Oxidizing agent          Cl2                               
           
 
2.       Co       +          Fe3+                 ----------->                  Co2+     +          Fe2+
                        Substance oxidized     Co                    Substance reduced      Fe3+
                        Reducing agent           Co Oxidizing agent          Fe3+    

              
3. Cl2 (g)         +          2 Na (s) -------->           2 Na+ (aq)         +          2 Cl-1 (aq)
                        Substance oxidized     Na                    Substance reduced      Cl2
                        Reducing agent           Na       Oxidizing agent          Cl2                   

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Balancing Redox Reactions - Half-Reaction Method

General Rules/Steps in Balancing Redox reactions using Half-Reaction Method:

 Each equation is balanced by adjusting coefficients and adding H 2O, H+, and e- in this order:

1. Separate the equation into two half-reactions, oxidation and reduction and balance elements in
the equation other than O and H.
2. Balance the oxygen atoms by adding the appropriate number of water (H 2O) molecules to the
opposite side of the equation.
3. Balance the hydrogen atoms (including those added in step 2 to balance the oxygen atom) by
adding H+ ions to the opposite side of the equation.               
4. Add up the charges on each side. Make them equal by adding enough electrons (e -) to the more
positive side. (Rule of thumb: e- and H+ are almost always on the same side.)
5. The e- on each side must be made equal; if they are not equal, they must be multiplied by
appropriate integers (the lowest common multiple) to be made the same.
6. The half-equations are added together, canceling out the electrons to form one balanced
equation. Common terms should also be canceled out.
7. If the equation is being balanced in a basic solution, through the addition of one more step, the
appropriate number of OH- must be added to turn the remaining H+ into water molecules.
8. The equation can now be checked to make sure that it is balanced.

Example: Neutral Solution

+3

Cu +¿+Fe → Fe +Cu¿

Step 1 Separate the two half reactions and balance the charge since there is no O and H in the
equation

+3 −¿ ¿
Oxidation : Fe → Fe +3 e
−¿→Cu ¿
Reduction : Cu +¿+e ¿

Step 2 Multiply the 2nd half equation by 3 to have the same number of electrons
+3 −¿ ¿
Oxidation : Fe → Fe +3 e −¿→3 Cu¿
Reduction : 3 Cu+¿+3 e ¿

Step 3 Add the two half equations, cancelling out the electrons to form the overall or net
balanced equation
+3
+¿→ Fe +3Cu ¿
Fe+3 Cu
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Example: Acidic Solution
−2 +3 −¿¿
Cr 2 O 7 + HNO 2 →Cr + NO3

Step 1 Write the two half-half reactions, reduction and oxidation and balance the elements other
than O and H
−2 +3
Reduction: Cr 2 O 7 →2 Cr
Oxidation: HNO2 → NO−¿¿
3

Step 2 Balance the oxygen atom by adding appropriate number of water (H2O) molecules to the
opposite side of the equation.
Cr 2 O−2 +3
7 →2 Cr + 7 H 2 O
−¿ ¿
HNO2 + H 2 O → NO 3
+¿¿
Step 3 Balance the hydrogen atom by adding H to the opposite side of the equation
+3
−2 +¿ →2 Cr +7 H 2 O¿
Cr 2 O +14 H
7
+ ¿¿
−¿+3 H ¿
HNO2 + H 2 O → NO 3

Step 4 Add up the charges on each side. Make them equal by adding enough electrons (e -) to
the more positive side +3
−¿ →2Cr +7 H 2 O ¿
−2 +¿+6 e ¿
Cr 2 O7 +14 H −¿ ¿
+ ¿+2e ¿
−¿+3 H ¿
HNO2 + H 2 O → NO 3
−¿¿
Step 5 The e on each side must be made equal, so multiply the second half-reaction by 3
−¿ ¿
since there 6 e in the first-half reaction +3
−¿ →2Cr +7 H 2 O ¿
+¿+6 e
Cr 2 O−2
7 +14 H
¿
−¿ ¿
+ ¿+6 e ¿
H
3 HNO 2 +3 H 2 O →3 N O−¿+9
3
¿

Step 6 Add the two half-reaction, canceling out the electrons to form one balanced equation.
Common terms should also be canceled out.
+3
−¿ →2Cr +7 H 2 O ¿
+¿+6 e
Reduction: Cr 2 O−2
7 +14 H
¿
−¿ ¿
+ ¿+6 e ¿
H
Oxidation: 3 HNO 2 +3 H 2 O →3 NO−¿+9
3
¿

+3 −¿+ 4 H 2 O ¿
−2 +¿→ 2Cr +3 NO 3 ¿
Net balanced equation: Cr 2 O 7 +3 HNO 2 +5 H

Example: Basic Solution

+2
Ag+Zn → Ag2 O+ Zn

Step 1 Write the two half-half reactions, reduction and oxidation and balance the elements other
than O and H
Oxidation: 2 Ag → Ag2 O
+2
Reduction: Zn → Zn

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Step 2 Balance the oxygen atom by adding appropriate number of water (H2O) molecules to the
opposite side of the equation.
2 Ag+ H 2 O→ Ag2 O
+2
Zn → Zn
+¿¿
Step 3 Balance the hydrogen atom by adding H to the opposite side of the equation
+¿¿
2 Ag+ H 2 O→ Ag2 O+2 H
+2
Zn → Zn
Step 4 Add up the charges on each side. Make them equal by adding enough electrons (e -) to
the more positive side
−¿¿
+¿+2 e ¿
2 Ag+ H 2 O→ Ag2 O+2 H
Zn+2+2 e−¿ →Zn ¿
−¿¿
Step 5 The e on each side must be made equal, since the number of electrons are already
equal no number will be multiplied into either of the two half-reaction
−¿¿
+¿+2 e ¿
2 Ag+ H 2 O→ Ag2 O+2 H
+2 −¿ →Zn ¿
Zn +2 e

Step 6 Add the two half-reaction, canceling out the electrons to form one balanced equation.
Common terms should also be canceled out.
−¿¿

2 Ag+ H 2 O→ Ag2 O+2 H +¿+2 e ¿

Zn+2+2 e−¿ →Zn ¿
+2 +¿¿
2 Ag+ Zn + H 2 O → Ag2 O+ Zn+2 H

Step 7 Since the equation is being balanced in a basic solution, the appropriate number of
OH- must be added to turn the remaining H + into water molecules. Since the equation has
+¿¿ −¿¿
2H add 2OH on both sides of the equation −¿ ¿
+ ¿+2 OH ¿
+2 −¿→ Ag2 O +Zn+2 H ¿
2 Ag+ Zn + H 2 O+2 OH

that are present on the same side to form H 2 O molecule:

+¿¿ −¿¿
Step 8 Combine H and OH
2 Ag+ Zn + H 2 O+2 OH −¿→ Ag O +Zn+2 H
+2 2 2 O¿

Step 9 Cancel common terms to obtain the net balanced equation.

+2 −¿ → Ag 2 O+ Zn+ H 2 O ¿
2 Ag+ Zn +2OH

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 Exercise 1.1

Name: ___________________________________ Score: __________

Class Schedule: ___________________________ Date: ___________

Simple Recall

Instruction: Multiple choice. Encircle the letter that correspond to your answer

1. Another name for oxidation-reduction reaction

A. Chemical reaction C. Single replacement reaction
B. Combination reaction D. Redox reaction
2. A reaction is said to be redox reaction if the oxidation state or oxidation number of the substance
A. is constant C. is increasing
B. is decrease D. is change either increased or decreased
3. When electrons are gained
A. oxidation C. either A or B
B. reduction D. neither A nor B
4. When electrons are lost
A. oxidation C. either A or B
B. reduction D. neither A nor B
5. Result is an increase in oxidation state.
A. oxidation C. either A or B
B. reduction D. neither A nor B
6. Which change is reduction?
A. decrease in oxidation state C. Loss of electrons
B. Gain of oxygen D. Loss of hydrogen
7. What is the oxidation state of chromium in the oxide CrO 3?
A. +3 C. +6
B. -3 D. -6
8. What is the oxidation state of sulfur in SO32- ?
A. -2 C. +4
B. +2 D. +6
9. The substance oxidized in a redox reaction is the
A. reducing agent C. either A or B
B. oxidizing agent D. neither A nor B
10. The substance reduced in a redox reaction is the
A. reducing agent C. either A or B
B. oxidizing agent D. neither A nor B

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 Exercise 1.2

Name: ___________________________________ Score: __________

Class Schedule: ___________________________ Date: ___________

Assigning Oxidation number or oxidation state

Give the Oxidation Number of each of the elements that is underlined.

1. H2SO4                                             
2. ZnSO3                                        
3. Na                                               
4. AgNO3                                      
5. SO2                                              
            6.  Ca(ClO3)2                                   
7.   HPO32-                                      
            8.   MnO2                                           
            9.   PbO2                                           
            10.  K2SO4                                          
            11.  Na2O2                                      
            12.   Fe2O3                                          
13. ClO3-                      
14. SiO44-                                            
15. NH4+     

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 Exercise 1.3

Name: ___________________________________ Score: __________

Class Schedule: ___________________________ Date: ___________

Balance the following redox reactions using the half-reaction method

Acidic solutions
+2
1. Zn+ H +¿→ Zn + H2 ¿

Reduction: ______________________________________________
Oxidation: ______________________________________________
Net balanced equation: ______________________________________________

−¿→ I2 + NO ¿
2. I −¿+NO 2 ¿

Reduction: ______________________________________________
Oxidation: ______________________________________________
Net balanced equation: ______________________________________________

+2
−¿→ Mn +Cl 2 ¿

3. MnO−¿+Cl
4
¿

Reduction: ______________________________________________
Oxidation: ______________________________________________
Net balanced equation: ______________________________________________

−2 +3 −2
→Cr +SO4 ¿
4. CrO−¿+S
4

Reduction: ______________________________________________
Oxidation: ______________________________________________

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 Net balanced equation: ______________________________________________

−¿ ¿
−¿→ H 2 O +NO 3 ¿
5. H 2 O 2+ NO 2
Reduction: ______________________________________________
Oxidation: ______________________________________________
Net balanced equation: ______________________________________________

                  
Exercise 1.4

Name: ___________________________________ Score: __________

Class Schedule: ___________________________ Date: ___________

Balance the following redox reactions using the half-reaction method

Basic solutions

1. Cr (OH )3 + Br2 →CrO −2

4 + Br
−¿¿

Reduction: ______________________________________________
Oxidation: ______________________________________________
Net balanced equation: ______________________________________________

−¿¿
2. O2 +Sb → H 2 O2 + SbO 2

Reduction: ______________________________________________
Oxidation: ______________________________________________
Net balanced equation: ______________________________________________

−¿+ O ¿
3. H 2 O 2+ClO 2 →ClO 2 2

Reduction: ______________________________________________
Oxidation: ______________________________________________
Net balanced equation: ______________________________________________

4. H 2 O 2+Cl 2 O 7 →ClO −¿+O

2
¿ 2

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Reduction: ______________________________________________
Oxidation: ______________________________________________
Net balanced equation: ______________________________________________

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