Oxidation numbers can be used to balance chemical equations
Go through these steps to balance a redox equation:
Write the unbalanced equation and identify the atoms which change in ox. no.
Deduce the ox.no. changes
Balance the ox.no. changes
Balance the charges
Balance the atoms
Worked Example
Manganate(VII) ions (MnO4-) react with Fe2+?ions in the presence of acid (H+) to form Mn2+?ions, Fe3+?ions and waterWrite the overall redox equation for the reaction
Answer:
Step 1:?Write the unbalanced equation and identify the atoms which change in ox. no.