Balancing Redox

20.3 Describing Redox Equations >

Equations

Using Half-Reactions

In the half-reaction method, you write and

balance the oxidation and reduction half-reactions
separately before combining them into a
balanced redox equation.
• The procedure is different, but the outcome is
the same as with the oxidation-number-change
method.

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20.3 Describing Redox Equations >

In the HALF-REACTION method, an oxidation-

reduction is written as HALF-REACTIONS. As
each half-reaction is balanced for atoms and
charge, it becomes apparent which one is
oxidation and which one is reduction. Once the
loss and gain of electrons are equalized for the
half-reactions, they are combined to obtain the
overall balanced equation.
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Ex. Use half-reactions to balance the ff. reaction.

Al(s) + Cu2+(aq) Cu(s) + Al+3(aq)

 Al(s) + Cu2+(aq) Cu(s) + Al+3(aq)
STEP 1: Write two half-reactions for the equation.
First Half Reaction : Al(s) Al+3(aq)
Second Half Reaction: Cu2+(aq) Cu(s)
Step 2: Balance the charge in each half-reaction by adding electrons to
the side with more positive charge.
Al(s) Al+3(aq) + 3e- (OXIDATION)
0 charge 0 charge
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cu2+(aq) + 2e- Cu(s) (REDUCTION)

0 charge 0 charge
 Al(s) + Cu2+(aq) Cu(s) + Al+3(aq)
STEP 3 Multiply each half reaction by factors that equalize the loss and
gain of electrons.
2 x [Al(s) Al+3(aq) + 3e- ]

3 x [Cu2+(aq) + 2e- Cu(s) ]

_________________________________________________________________

(6 electrons LOST)
2Al(s) 2Al+3(aq) + 6e-

(6 electrons GAINED)
3Cu2+(aq) + 6e- 3Cu(s)
 Al(s) + ICu+2+Cr
-
(aq)O
(aq) 2
2-
7 (aq)
Cu
I +(s)Cr +
2 (s)
3+
(aq)
Al+3(aq)

STEP 4 Add balanced half-reactions, cancel electrons, and combine any H2O and H+ . Check
balance of atoms and charge.

2Al(s) 2Al+3(aq) + 6e-

CV
3Cu2+(aq) + 6e- 3Cu(s)
__________________________________________________
2Al(s) + 3Cu2+(aq) + 6e- 2Al+3(aq) + 6e- + 3Cu(s)

2Al(s) + 3Cu2+(aq) 2Al+3(aq) + 3Cu(s)