Name: ____________________ Date: ______________

10.3 Balancing using Half-Reactions

When electrons are lost, they must be gained elsewhere. Charges must be balanced.

Ie. 2 e- + Zn2+ => Zn

Cl2 + 2 e- => 2Cl-

There are often other elements that must be balanced in the equation as well. Take for
example: CN- => CNO- how is oxygen balanced? Or
O2 => H2O how is hydrogen balanced?

Steps to balancing equations (pg. 487)

Step Description
1 Write the unbalanced net ionic equation

2 Write 2 half-reactions

3 For each half reaction, balance atoms other than O and H first

4 For each half reaction, balance the O by adding H2O to the opposite side

5 For each half reaction, balance the H by adding H+ (acidic)

6 For each half reaction, count the charges on each side and add electrons to
balance
7 Add the 2 half reactions together, one electrons will always be on the opposite
side. Multiply the equations such that you have an LCM and electrons are the
same.
8 Add the left side, then the right side

9 If the solution is basic, add OH- for every H+

10 Simplify the equation by combining water

− −
Example: Br2 + ClO2 → Br + ClO2 -Balance this using half reaction method

− −
Br2 → 2Br ClO2 → ClO2 Balance atoms
− −
2 e- +Br2 → 2Br ClO2 → ClO2 + e- Balance electrons
(charges)
− −
2 e- +Br2 → 2Br 2ClO2 → 2ClO2 + 2e- Multiply by common multiplier

−
2 e- +Br2 → 2Br add together, make sure electrons cancel
Name: ____________________ Date: ______________

−
2ClO2 → 2ClO2 + 2e-

− −
Br2 + 2ClO2 → 2Br + 2ClO2 Answer

Try this one! Balance in acidic solution.

+ +
MnO4- + Ag → Mn2 + Ag

+ +
MnO4- → Mn2 Ag →Ag Balance atoms that aren’t O or H
+ +
MnO4- → Mn2 + 4Η2Ο Ag →Ag Balance oxygen
+ +
4H+ + MnO4- → Mn2 + 4Η2Ο Ag →Ag Balance hydrogen
+ +
e- + 4H+ + MnO4- → Mn2 + 4Η2Ο Ag →Ag + e- Balance electrons

+
e- + 4H+ + MnO4- → Mn2 + 4Η2Ο add together, make sure electrons cancel
+
Ag →Ag + e- (they will always be on opposite sides

+ +
4H+ + MnO4- + Ag → Mn2 + Ag + 4Η2Ο Answer

Do Q. 17-20 pg. 484, Q. 21-24 pg. 486, Q25-28 pg. 490

HW Q 1-6 pg. 494