Question

how to balance O and H atoms for the reaction occurring in basic medium by the half reaction method ?

Answer 1

Each equation is balanced by adjusting coefficients and adding H2O, H+, and e- in this order:

1.Balance elements in the equation other than O and H.

2.Balance the oxygen atoms by adding the appropriate number of water (H2O) molecules to the opposite side of the equation.

3.Balance the hydrogen atoms (including those added in step 2 to balance the oxygen atom) by adding H+ ions to the opposite side of the equation. 

4.Add up the charges on each side. Make them equal by adding enough electrons (e-) to the more positive side. (Rule of thumb: e- and H+ are almost always on the same side.)

5.The e- on each side must be made equal; if they are not equal, they must be multiplied by appropriate integers (the lowest common multiple) to be made the same.

6.The half-equations are added together, canceling out the electrons to form one balanced equation. Common terms should also be canceled out.

#(If the equation is being balanced in a basic solution, through the addition of one more step, the appropriate number of OH- must be added to turn the remaining H+ into water molecules.)

#The equation can now be checked to make sure that it is balanced.



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