® General Steps to Balance a Redox Reaction: 1. Identify the oxidation and reduction half-reactions * Split the overall reaction into two separate half-reactions. 2. Balance all elements except hydrogen and oxygen * Start by ensuring the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides (excluding H and ©). 3. Balance oxygen atoms * Add H,O molecules to the side deficient in oxygen. 4. Balance hydrogen atoms * In acidic medium: Add H* ions. * In basic medium: Add H* ions first, then neutralize them with OH” on both sides (form H,O, simplify if needed). 5. Balance the charge using electrons (e) * Add electrons to the more positive side or the less negative side to balance overall charge. 6. Equalize electrons lost and gained * Multiply the half-reactions by appropriate integers so that the number of electrons cancels out when added. 7. Add the two half-reactions together * Cancel identical species on both sides (like e", H,0, H* or OH}. 8. Simplify the final equation * Make sure all coefficients are in the lowest possible whole-number ratio. 9. Verify atom and charge balance * Double-check both mass (all atoms) and net charge on both sides.