BALANCING OXIDATION-

REDUCTION REACTIONS
RULE
S:
1. Write the complete equation
listing the oxidation numbers of all
the elements, and locate those
elements that are changing their
oxidation number.
2.Calculate the change in oxidation
number, and indicate this change below
the equation. (Show the increase and
decrease in oxidation numbers)
3. Multiply the change in oxidation
number for each atom by the total
number of those atoms that are changing
in oxidation number.
(Find the total change in oxidation
number for each of the elements that is
changing )
4. Find a Least Common Multiple (LCM)
for a total increase and decrease in
oxidation number.
5. Equate the increase and decrease in
oxidation numbers since they must
always be equal.
6. Complete the remainder of the
equation by adding the proper
coefficients to make sure that there are
the same number of each type of atom on
both sides of the equation.
7. Note that any element in the free state,
that is, uncombined, has an oxidation
number of zero.