Exercise 7.4 Redox equations Oxidation and reduction usually occur together. These reactions are called redox reactions. This exercise gives you practice in combining half-equations and using oxidation numbers to balance chemical ‘equations. a Define the term redox reaction. Include these words in your answer. chemical reaction oxidation _ reduction ultaneous b Zinc reacts with silver ions to form zinc ions and silver. ‘One of the halequations is: Equation A: Zn -+ Zn? + 2e- i Copy and complete the other haif-equation: Agt +4 Ag i How many electrons are needed to balance the number of electrons in Equation A? Ili Write the equation for the reaction of zinc with silver ions by combining the two half-equations. aig Half-equations can be combined by making sure the numbers of electrons lost and gained are the same in each half-equation. Combine each pair of half-equations. i ch+2e-42c- Feth + Fe +e ii 2H* + 20-> H AL>ABY + 307 10, + 6H* + Se“ 121, + 3H,0 2I- 4 ly +207 WV 2Hg?* + 2e- + Ha,2* CPt act +e _ Balance this equation using oxidation numbers by following the steps shown, Mn0,- + Cr+ + Ht > Mn? + Cr+ + HO 1 Copy the equation and write the oxidation numbers of the Mn and Cr atoms or ions below each relevant species. i Deduce the oxidation number changes: Mn from to Cr from to ill Balance the oxidation number changes by writing large numbers in front of the relative species. Iv Balance the charges by putting the correct number in front of H*Vv Balance the water, uid When balancing equations using the oxidation number method, remember that the oxidation number is per atom, @ Use the oxid 1m number method to balance these unbalanced equations, i cuts cus cu Wh 1+ Fe? 41, + Feet Fe;05 + CO Fe + CO Iv 1057 + Fe + HY 121, + Fe + 31,0 Vv CuO +NH3 + Cu +N) + H,0 vi Fe? + HS + Fe? + 2H +S vii MnO," + Cl + MnO," + 2cI- Vill MnO,?- + H* + MnOg” + MnO, + HO f i Explain the meaning of the term disproportionation. ii Which two of the equations in part e are disproportionation reactions?