Electrochemistry

Oxidation/Reduction Reactions
ELECTROCHEMISTRY
• deals with the relationship between electricity and chemical reaction.

• energy transferred between electricity and chemical reaction.

• chemical reaction are electrically charge due to transfer of electrons

of the substances.

• its basic principle in transfer of electrons is the oxidation and

reduction reaction; redox reactions.
 Oxidation reaction
• a reaction/process in which an atom loses an electron/s

• increases its oxidation number

(oxidation number= is the[alternative word] charge that atom would
have if the compound was composed of ions)
example: NaCl
oxidation number of Na is +1 while the Cl is –1
example: increases its oxidation number:
0 +1
Na + Cl 2  NaCl

3
 Reduction reaction
• a reaction/process in which an atom gains an electron/s

• decreases its oxidation number

(oxidation number= is the [alternative word] charge that atom would
have if the compound was composed of ions)
example: NaCl
oxidation number of Na is +1 while the Cl is –1
example: decreases its oxidation number:
0 –1
Na + Cl 2  Na Cl

4
Redox reaction (combination of oxidation and
reduction reaction)
• is a simultaneous chemical reaction in which electron/s are transferred
from one substance to another substance.
one substance increases its oxidation number (loss of electron/s) – an
oxidation reaction
the other substance decreases its oxidation number (gains in
electron/s) – a reduction reaction
example:
0 0 +1 -1
Na + Cl 2  NaCl

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 OXIDATION REDUCTION

Oxidation number increase Oxidation number decrease

Lose of electron/s Gain of electron/s

Oxidized substance Reduced substance
Reducing agent/reducer Oxidizing agent/oxidizer
(oxidized) (reactants) (reduced) (reactants)
Metals are generally reducing Many nonmetals are good
agents oxidizing agents

OIL RDG
6
 Types of REDOX reactions:
• Direct combination or synthesis : A + B  AB
• Decomposition or analysis: AB + Δ  A + B
• Single displacement or replacement or substitution : A + CB  AB + C
• Combustion: A + O 2  CO 2 + H2O
• Complicated redox equation :
reactants side; 3 or more substances  products side; 3 or more substances
KMn O4 + K 2 C 2 O4 + H 2 S O4  MnS O4 + K2 S O4 + C O2 + H2O

Double displacement reaction: AB + CD  AD + CB

is not a redox reaction: (substances in the equation does not change in oxidation number)
+1 -1 +1 +5 -2 +1 +5 -2 +1 -1
example: Ag Cl + NaNO3  AgNO3 + NaCl
solving for N: +1 + X + (-2x3) = 0
X = +5
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Examples of redox reaction:

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9
Oxidation number/charge of the ions: Recall
• Chemical formulas and chemical names of monoatomic ions
(cations and anions)

• Chemical formulas and chemical names of

polyatomic ions (cations and anions)

• Naming and writing of inorganic compound

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 COMMON
OXIDATION NUMBER
OF
AN
ATOM
11
Oxidation number
• For FREE ATOM = 0 charge
all elements in the periodic table are free atom….
example: Fe , K, Na, Mn, Zn, C

Refer to the Periodic Table of Elements:

• For diatomic molecule = 0 charge

like : H 2 , Cl 2 , F 2 , I 2 , Br 2 , O 2 , N 2

https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/mendeleevs-periodic-table-elements-with-new-vector-27072377

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Oxidation number

OXIDATION NUMBER OF COMMON

MONOATOMIC
IONS
(note: specially in binary compounds; containing 2 atoms)
[compounds contains cation (metal) and anion (nonmetal)]

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 Hg & Cu 1+& 2+
Grp IA 1+
Au 1+ & 3+
Grp IIA 2+
Grp VIIA 1-
Grp IIIA 3+ (for binary
compound)

Zn 2+ H (combine with 1-
metals)
Ag & H 1+
S (for binary 2-
compound)

Fe, Cr, 2+ & 3+ O (note: oxygen is

always 2-)
Mn, Co
2+ & 4+
N, P(for binary 3-
Sn & Pb compound) 15
Give the chemical symbol and the oxidation number of
the following:
1. potassium ion , 11. nitride ion
2. ferrous ion 12. bromide ion
3. auric ion 13. bismuth ion
4. calcium ion 14. sulfide ion
5. oxide ion 15. chromous ion
6. lead (II) ion 16. aurous ion
7. mercuric ion 17. ferric ion
8. chloride ion 18. barium ion
9. zinc ion 19. fluoride ion
10. hydride ion 20. magnesium ion

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 DETERMINATION
OF OXIDATION
NUMBER
OF EACH ELEMENTS IN A
COMPOUNDS

18
TYPES OF COMPOUNDS
• Binary compounds
compounds containing 2 atoms

• Ternary compounds
compounds containing more than 2 atoms

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A)Binary compounds
containing 2 atoms: (total charge is equal to zero,0)
(recall the criss cross rule)
+2 -1
• BaCl2: Ba2+; Cl 1- (BaCl2) = +2 + -1(2) = 0
+1 -2
• Na2S : Na1+; S 2- (Na2S)
+2 -2
• MgO : Mg2+; O 2- (MgO)

+4 -2
• PbO2: Pb +4 ; O -2 (PbO2)

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B) Ternary compounds
containing more than 2 atoms:
• The algebraic sum of the oxidation numbers of each atom in the
given chemical formula of a compound is equal to zero, (0)
example:
2+ X 2-
Ca3 (P O4)2

2x3+2X + (-2x4x2) = 0
6 + 2X + (-16) = 0
X = +5
P = +5 = 5+
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Give the oxidation numbers of all the elements of the following compounds.
(show the solutions).

1. K2C2O4 11. Mn(FO)3

2. FeSO4 12. KMnO4
3. CaO 13. Zn3N2
4. LiClO3 14. CrBO3
5. Mg3(AsO4)2 15. Al(NO2)3
6. CaH2 16. NaOH
7. Au2(CrO4)3 17. Au2O
8. Ba3(BO3)2 18. Pb (SO3)2
9. CoCO3 19. Al PO3
10. CuS2O3 20. HNO3
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 DETERMINATION
OF OXIDATION
NUMBER
OF EACH ELEMENTS IN A
POLYATOMIC
IONS
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POLYATOMIC IONS:

The algebraic sum of the oxidation numbers of each atom in a

polyatomic ion must be equal to the charge of the ion:
X 2-
(SO 4 ) 2-
X+(-2x4) = -2
X = +6

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Find the oxidation number of the elements of the following
polyatomic ions. (show the solutions).
1. ClO4 – 1 11. BO3 – 3
2. SO3 – 2 12. BrO3 – 1
3. OH - 1 13. C2O4 – 2
4. MnO4 – 2 14. AsO4 – 3
5. PO 4 – 3 15. MnO4 – 1
6. NO3 – 1 16. IO – 1
7. FO2 – 1 17. CrO4 – 2
8. CO 3 – 2 18. S2O3 – 2
9. Cr2O7 – 2 19. NO2 – 1
10 . CN – 1 20. PO3 – 3

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Redox reaction: principles
• Assigned oxidation numbers to each element in the chemical equation.

• Determine the change in oxidation number

(in a chemical equation: 1 substance that undergone oxidation reaction
and 1 substance that undergone reduction reaction)

• Identify the following: the element oxidized; element reduced; no. of

electrons lost; no. of electrons gain; oxidizing agent; reducing agent.
(all identification must be on the reactant side only)

• Balance the redox equation.

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 Redox reaction:
• Assigned oxidation numbers of each element in a chemical equation.
Assign first the free element and / or diatomic molecules which is = 0
In a compound:
For binary compound:
Assign first: cation
Second : anion
For ternary compound:
Assign first: cation; Second : anion
assign X for the central atom and solve for X

Complete the oxidation numbers of all the elements in the given chemical equation.

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 Redox reaction:
Identify the following:
• element oxidized;
• element reduced;
• no. of electrons lost;
• change in oxidation no.
• no. of electrons gain;
• change in oxidation no.
• oxidizing agent;
• reducing agent.

Balance the chemical equation…..

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 Recall:
OXIDATION REDUCTION
Oxidation number increase Oxidation number decrease

Lose of electron/s Gain of electron/s

Oxidized substance Reduced substance
Reducing agent/reducer Oxidizing agent/oxidizer
(oxidized) (reactants) (reduced) (reactants)
Metals are generally reducing Many nonmetals are good
agents oxidizing agents

OIL RDG 29
Example 1: (direct combination)
Na + Cl 2  NaCl
Assign oxidation numbers to all the elements in a given chemical equation:
0 0 +1 -1
Na + Cl 2  NaCl
Identify the following:
• element oxidized ----- Na
• element reduced ---- Cl
• no. of electrons lost ----- 1 electron
• change in oxidation no. ----- 0 to +1
• no. of electrons gain ----- 1 electron
• change in oxidation no. ---- 0 to –1
• oxidizing agent ------ Cl2
• reducing agent ------- Na
Balance the equation: 2 Na + Cl 2  2 NaCl
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Example 2: (single displacement equation))
0 +2 X -2 +2 X -2 0
Fe + Cu S O4  Fe S O4 + Cu
2+x -8 =0 2+x-8 = 0
x = +6 x= +6
Identify the following:
• substance oxidized ----- Fe
• substance reduced --- Cu
• no. of electrons lost -----2 electrons
• change in oxidation no. ----- 0 to +2
• no. of electrons gain ----- 2electrons
• change in oxidation no. ----- +2 to 0
• oxidizing agent ------ Cu S O4
• reducing agent ------- Fe
Balance the chemical equation:
Fe + Cu S O4  Fe S O4 + Cu equation is already balance

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 Example 3 : (complicated redox equation:)
KMn O4 + K 2 C 2 O4 + H 2 S O4  MnS O4 + K2 S O4 + C O2 + H2O
Assigning oxidation numbers : cation
+1 +1 +1 +2 +1 +4 +1
KMn O4 + K2 C 2 O4 + H2 S O4  MnS O4 + K2 S O4 + C O2 + H2O
Assigning oxidation numbers : anion
+1 2- +1 2- +1 2- +2 2- +1 2- +4 2- +1 2-
KMn O4 + K2 C 2 O4 + H 2 S O4  MnS O4 + K2 S O4 + C O2 + H2O
Assigning oxidation numbers: For ternary compound : assign X for the central and solve for X :
+1 X 2- +1 X 2- +1 X 2- +2 X 2- +1 X 2- +4 2- +1 2-
KMn O4 + K2 C 2 O4 + H 2 S O4  MnSO4 + K2 S O4 + C O2 + H2O

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Solving for X of the central atom
Reactants side: Products side:
+1 X -2 +2 X -2
KMnO4 : 1 +X + (-2x4) = 0 MnSO4 : 2 +X + (-2x4) = 0
X = 8-1 X = 8-2
X = +7 X = +6
+1 X -2 +1 X -2
K2 C 2 O4 : 1 x 2 +2X + (-2x4) = 0 K2 S O4 : 2 +X + (-2x4) = 0
X = (8-2)/2 X = 8-2
X = +3 X = +6
+1 X -2
H2 S O4 : 1x2 +X + (-2x4) = 0
X = 8-2
X = + 6

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 Example 3 : (complicated redox equation:)
KMn O4 + K 2 C 2 O4 + H 2 S O4  MnS O4 + K2 S O4 + C O2 + H2O
Assigning oxidation numbers : cation
+1 +1 +1 +2 +1 +4 +1
KMn O4 + K2 C 2 O4 + H2 S O4  MnS O4 + K2 S O4 + C O2 + H2O
Assigning oxidation numbers : anion
+1 2- +1 2- +1 2- +2 2- +1 2- +4 2- +1 2-
KMn O4 + K2 C 2 O4 + H 2 S O4  MnS O4 + K2 S O4 + C O2 + H2O

Assigning oxidation numbers: For ternary compound : assign X for the central and solve for X :
+1 X 2- +1 X 2- +1 X 2- +2 X 2- +1 X 2- +4 2- +1 2-
KMn O4 + K2 C 2 O4 + H 2 S O4  MnSO4 + K2 S O4 + C O2 + H2O
Complete oxidation number of all the elements in the given equation.
+1 7+ 2- +1 3+ 2- +1 6+ 2- +2 6+ 2- +1 6+ 2- +4 2- +1 2-
KMn O4 + K2 C 2 O4 + H2 S O4  MnS O4 + K2 S O4 + C O2 + H2O
+1 + +7 + (-2x4) = 0 34
 Redox reaction:
1+ 7+ 2- 1+ 3+ 2- 1+ 6+ 2- 2+ 6+ 2- 1+ 6+ 2- 4+ 2- 1+ 2-
KMn O4 + K2 C 2 O4 + H2 S O4  MnS O4 + K2 S O4 + C O2 + H2O

Identify the following:

• element oxidized; C
• element reduced; Mn
• no. of electrons lost; 1 electron
• change in oxidation no. ----- +3 to +4
• no. of electrons gain; 5 electrons
• change in oxidation no. ----- +7 to +2
• oxidizing agent; KMn O4
• reducing agent. K2 C 2 O4
Balance the chemical equation:

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 Tabulated form:
Identify the following:
1+ 7+ 2- 1+ 3+ 2- 1+ 6+ 2- 2+ 6+ 2- 1+ 6+ 2- 4+ 2- 1+ 2-
KMn O4 + K2 C 2 O4 + H2 S O4  MnS O4 + K2 S O4 + C O2 + H2O
Substance/el Change in Substance/el Change in Oxidizing Reducing No. of No. of
ement oxidation ement oxidation agent agent electrons lost electrons
oxidized number reduced number gain

C from 3+ to 4+ Mn from 7+ to 2+ KMn O4 K2 C 2 O4 1 electron 5 electrons

Balance the chemical equation: THERE IS ANOTHER WAY TO BALANCE

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Exercises:
Identify the following:
element oxidized; element reduced; no. of electrons lost; change in oxidation no. no. of electrons gain;
change in oxidation no. oxidizing agent; reducing agent. (Tabulate your answer)

1. KClO 3  KCl + O 2

2. FeCl 3 + H 2S  FeCl 2 + S + HCl

3. Na 2Cr 2O 7 + FeCl 2 + HCl  CrCl 3 + FeCl 3 + NaCl + H 2O

4. Bi(OH) 3 + K 2SnO 2  Bi + K 2SnO 3 + H 2O

5. MnS + HCl + HNO 3  MnCl 2 + NO + S + H 2O

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BALANCING REDOX REACTIONS
USING ELECTRON-TRANSFER
METHOD

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Balancing redox reactions: electron-transfer method

• Molecular equation

• Half reaction equation: ionic equation form

only those substances that change in
oxidation number are present in a
chemical equation
A) Simple ionic equation;
B) It the reaction is in acid medium or base medium

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 STEPS IN BALANCING
MOLECULAR EQUATION USING
REDOX REACTION
(electron-transfer method)
7 steps
 Steps in balancing molecular equation using electron-
transfer method
1. Assign oxidation numbers to all the elements.
2. Determine the following:
elements that change in
* oxidation number
* lost of ē/atom
* gained of ē/atom
3. *#ē/fu = lost ē/atom x #atom/fu

*#ē/fu = gained ē/atom x #atom/fu

(note: #atom/fu is determine from the chemical formula from the given equation of that particular element)
Steps in balancing molecular equation using electron-transfer
method
4. Balance the electrons lost and gain by multiplying it with any smallest
whole number to make them equal (fu).
for substance lost of ē :
# of ē = # ē /fu x fu
for substance gained of ē :
# of ē = # ē /fu x fu
5. Determine the number of atoms:
for substance lost of ē :
# of atoms = atom/fu x fu
for substance gained of ē :
# of atoms = atom/fu x fu
Steps in balancing molecular equation using electron-transfer
method
6. Apply the number of atoms (in step 5) as coefficient of the
corresponding lost and gain of atoms or elements.

7. Balance the rest of the elements by inspection, where O atom

should be the last element to be inspected and H atom is the
second to the last in a molecular equation.
EXAMPLE OF BALANCING
REDOX REACTIONS
Using electron-transfer
method
(Molecular equation)
 Example:
KMnO4+K2C2O4+H2SO4  MnSO4+CO2+K2SO4+H2O
1.Assign oxidation numbers to all the elements.
1+ 7+ 2- 1+ 3+ 2- 1+ 6+ 2- 2+ 6+ 2- 1+ 6+ 2- 4+ 2- 1+ 2-
KMn O4 + K2 C 2 O4 + H2 S O4  MnS O4 + K2 S O4 + C O2 + H2O
C (oxidized) Mn (reduced)
2. Determine the following:
*elements that change in oxidation number.
change in oxidation number: change in oxidation no.: +3 to +4 change in oxidation no. :+7 to +2

*lost of ē/atom gained of ē/atom = 5ē/atom

lost of ē/atom = 1ē/atom
*gained of ē/atom

3. *#ē/fu = lost ē/atom x #atom/fu #ē/fu = 1 ē/atom x 2 atoms/fu #ē/fu = 5 ē/atom x 1 atom/fu
*#ē/fu = gained ē/atom x #atom/fu = 2 ē/fu = 5 ē/fu
1+ 7+ 2- 1+ 3+ 2- 1+ 6+ 2- 2+ 6+ 2- 1+ 6+ 2- 4+ 2- 1+ 2-
KMn O4 + K2 C 2 O4 + H2 S O4  MnS O4 + K2 S O4 + C O2 + H2O
C (oxidized) Mn (reduced)
2. Change in oxidation no.: 3+ to 4+ 2. Change in oxidation no.: 7+ to 2+

Lost of ē/atom = 1ē/atom Gain of ē/atom = 5 ē/atom

4. Balance the electrons lost and gain by multiplying 3. #ē/fu = 1e/atom x 2atoms/fu = 2ē/fu 3. #ē/fu = 5ē/atom x 1atom/fu = 5 ē/fu
it with any smallest whole number to make them
equal (fu).
lost of ē :
# of ē = # ē /fu x fu #ē = 2 ē /fu x 5 fu #ē = 5 ē /fu x 2 fu
gained of ē :
= 10 ē = 10 ē
# of ē = # ē /fu x fu

5. Determine the number of atoms:

for substance lost of ē : #C atoms = 2atoms/fu x 5fu #Mn atoms = 1atom/fu x 2 fu
# of atoms = atom/fu x fu = 10atoms = 2 atoms
for substance gained of ē :
# of atoms = atom/fu x fu
6. Apply the number of atoms as coefficient of the corresponding lost and
gain of atoms/elements.
C = 10 atoms Mn = 2 atoms
KMnO4 + K2C2O4+ H2SO4  MnSO4 + CO2+ K2SO4+ H2O

7. Balance the rest of the elements by inspection, where O atom should be

the last element to be inspected and H atom is the second to the last in a
molecular equation.

KMnO4+ K2C2O4+ H2SO4  MnSO4+ CO2+ K2SO4+ H2O

Identify the:

• Oxidizing agent : KMnO4

• Reducing agent : K2C2O4

• element oxidized: C

• element reduced: Mn
 Exercises:
+1 +6 -2 +2 -1 +1 -1 +3 -1 +3 -1 +1 -1 +1 -2
1. Na2Cr2O7 + FeCl2 + HCl  CrCl3 + FeCl3 + NaCl + H2O
solve for X is Cr: (+1x+2) + 2x+ (-2x7) = 0 X= +6
Cr: Fe:
#e gain = 3 e/atom # e lost = 1 e/atom
#e/fu = 3e/atom x 2 atoms /fu = 6 e/fu # of e/fu = 1e/atom x 1 atom/fu = 1e/fu
#e = 6e/fu x 1 fu = 6e #e = 1e/fu x 6 fu = 6e
# atoms= 2 atoms/fu x 1fu = 2 atoms # atoms = 1 atom/fu x 6 fu = 6 atoms
Na2Cr2O7 + FeCl2 + HCl  CrCl3 + FeCl3 + NaCl + H2O

6. Apply the number of atoms (in step 5) as coefficient of the corresponding lost and gain of
atoms/elements.
7. Balance the rest of the elements by inspection, where O atom should be the last element to be
inspected and H atom is the second to the last in a molecular equation.

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 Exercises:
1. Bi(OH)3 + K2SnO2  Bi + K2SnO3 + H2O
2. MnS + HCl + HNO3  MnCl2 + NO + S + H2O
3. HMnO4 + Bi(NO3)3 + NaNO3 + H2O  Mn(NO3)2 + NaBiO3 + HNO3
4. KMnO4 + H2SO4 + NaHSO3  MnSO4 + K2SO4 + NaHSO4 + H2O
Steps is balancing redox equation:
1. Assign oxidation numbers to all the elements.
2. Determine the following:
elements that change in oxidation number, lost of ē/atom, gained of ē/atom
3. #ē/fu = lost ē/atom x #atom/fu, #ē/fu = gained ē/atom x #atom/fu
4. Balance the electrons lost and gain: # of ē = # ē /fu x fu
5. Determine the number of atoms: # of atoms = atom/fu x fu
6. Apply the number of atoms (in step 5) as coefficient of the corresponding lost and gain of atoms/elements.
7. Balance the rest of the elements by inspection, where O atom should be the last element to be inspected and H
atom is the second to the last in a molecular equation.

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 Balancing Equation
by
electron-transfer method:

Half – reaction method

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Ionic equation
Can be:

• Simple ionic equation.

• If the reaction is in acid medium or base medium

52
Steps of half-reaction method: simple ionic equation
1. Assigned oxidation numbers to all the elements in a given chemical equation.
(substances in a chemical equation must contain physical states)
2. Cancel out spectator substance/s (can be ions, element or compound)
(spectator substances = substance/s that does not change in oxidation
number and/or those are the same substance/s that are
present in the reactant and in the product)
3. Convert the molecular equation into ionic equation.
(ionic equation = shows the reacting ions in a chemical reaction and only those
substances that participate in a chemical reaction.)
4. Separate the oxidation reaction and reduction reactions resulting of two equations.
In both oxidation and reduction half reactions balance the following:
5. Balance the no. of atoms by adding coefficient (Law of conservation of mass)
6. Balance the charges by adding electrons. (Law of Conservation of charge)
7. Balance the electrons by multiplying any number to make them equal
8. Re-combine the two equations by adding the two equations, cancel spectator substance/s.
9. Balance/check the net charge.
 Example: half - reactions:
0 2+ -1 2+ -1 0
1. Assigned oxidation numbers to all the
elements in a given chemical equation. Zn(s) + CuBr2(aq)  ZnBr2(aq) +Cu(s)
2. Cancel out spectator substance/s (can be
ions, element or compound) Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq)  Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s) ionic equation
3. Convert the molecular equation into ionic Oxidation half-reaction: Reduction half-reaction:
equation. Zn(s)  Zn2+(aq) Cu2+(aq)  Cu(s)
4. Separate the oxidation reaction and
reduction reactions resulting of two
equations. 0 +2 +2 0
IN EACH HALF-REACTIONS
5. Balance the no. of atoms by adding
Zn(s)  Zn2+(aq) + 2e- 2e- + Cu2+(aq)  Cu(s)
coefficient (Law of conservation of mass) 0 +2 -2 -2 +2 0

6. Balance the charges by adding electrons.

0 = 0 0 = 0
(Law of Conservation of charge) Overall reactions: Zn(s)  Zn2+(aq) + 2e-
7. Balance the electrons by multiplying any 2e- + Cu2+(aq)  Cu(s)
number to make them equal. Distribute as
coefficient. -------------------------------------------------
Zn(s) + 2e- + Cu2+(aq)  Zn2+(aq) + 2e- + Cu(s)
8. Re-combine the two equations by adding the
two equations, cancel spectators substance/s. Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq)  Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)
(overall reactions)
0 +2 +2 0
9. Balance the net charge. +2 = +2 54
 +3 -1 +1 -2 +2 -1 0 +1 -1

Example : half reactions: FeCl 3 + H 2S  FeCl 2 + S + HCl

ionic equation: Fe +3 + S -2  Fe +2 + S
1. Assigned oxidation numbers to all the elements in a
given chemical equation. Oxidation half-reaction: reduction half-reaction:
2. Cancel out spectator substance/s (can be ions, element S -2  S Fe +3  Fe +2
or compound) -2 0 -2 -1 +3 +2
3. Convert the molecular equation into ionic equation. S -2  S + 2e- 1 e- + Fe +3  Fe +2
4. Separate the oxidation reaction and reduction reactions
S -2  S + 2e- 2 (1e- + Fe +3  Fe +2 )
resulting of two equations. 2e- + 2 Fe +3  2 Fe +2
5. Balance the no. of atoms by adding coefficient (Law of S -2  S + 2e-
conservation of mass)
Overall reactions:
6. Balance the charges by adding electrons. (Law of S -2  S + 2ē
Conservation of charge)
2ē + 2 Fe +3  2 Fe +2
7. Balance the electrons by multiplying any number to
make them equal. Distribute as coefficient. -----------------------------------------
S -2 + 2ē + 2 Fe +3  2 Fe +2 + S + 2ē
8. Re-combine the two equations by adding the two equations,
cancel spectators substance/s. overall reactions S -2 + 2 Fe +3  2 Fe +2 + S
9. Balance the net charge.
-2 +6 +4 0
2ē 1ē
+4 +4

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Example : half reactions:
0 0 +2 -2
1. Mg (s) + O 2 (g)  MgO (s)
Mg  Mg+2 O 2  O -2
Mg  Mg+2 + 2e O 2  2 O -2
Mg  Mg+2 + 2e 4e + O 2  2 O -2
( Mg  Mg+2 + 2e) 2 4e + O 2  2 O -2
2Mg  2Mg+2 + 4e 4e + O 2  2 O -2

2 Mg  2 Mg +2 + 4e
4e + O 2  2 O -2
______________________________________________

2 Mg + O 2  2Mg +2 + 2 O -2
0 0 +4 -4
0 = 0
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Example : half reactions:

2. Ag(s) + HCl(aq)  H2(g) + AgCl(s)

3. Al(s) + HNO3(aq)  H2(g) + Al(NO3)3(aq)
4. Na(s) + I 2(s)  NaI(s)
5. Zn(s) + HF(aq)  ZnBr2(aq) + F 2(g)

1. Assigned oxidation numbers to all the elements in a given chemical equation.

2. Cancel out spectator substance/s (can be ions, element or compound)
3. Convert the molecular equation into ionic equation.
4. Separate the oxidation reaction and reduction reactions resulting of two equations.
5. Balance the no. of atoms by adding coefficient (Law of conservation of mass)
6. Balance the charges by adding electrons. (Law of Conservation of charge)
7. Balance the electrons by multiplying any number to make them equal
8. Re-combine the two equations by adding the two equations, cancel spectators substance/s.
9. Balance the net charge.

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