Balancing Oxidation-Reduction Equations

The first step always is to make sure the two half-reactions are in their right directions! i.e. the one that prefers to undergo oxidation vs the one that prefers to undergo reduction a. MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e- Mn2+ + 4H2O (reduction preferred; gain electrons) b. Fe2+ Fe3+ + e(oxidation preferred; lose electrons) *unfortunately, you have to memorize reactants that prefer oxidation/ reduction The next thing you need to do, is to add both chem. equations together But before you add them, you must consider the no. of electrons in each eq. As the electrons is not supposed to be included in the final overall equation. So, the only way to exclude the electrons is by cancelling them off as you add the eqs. a. MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e- Mn2+ + 4H2O b. Fe2+ Fe3+ + eMnO4- + 8H+ + 5e- + Fe2+ Mn2+ + 4H2O + Fe3+ + e(reactants before the arrow) (products after the arrow) 5e- from eq (a) has be cancelled off by multiplying eq (b) with 5 a. MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e- Mn2+ + 4H2O b. [Fe2+ Fe3+ + e-] x 5 MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e- + 5Fe2+ Mn2+ + 4H2O + 5Fe3+ + 5ecan be cancelled off MnO4- + 8H+ + 5Fe2+ Mn2+ + 4H2O + 5Fe3+

electrons