Question

Redox equations are _____ when the total increase in oxidation numbers equals the total decrease in oxidation numbers.

A. balanced
B. combined
C. different
D. equal

Answer 1

A. balanced

Step-by-step explanation:

Hello,

In this case, redox reactions undergo when one the elements at the reactants suffers an increase in its oxidation state and other elements suffers a decrease in its oxidation state. Thus, one could consider the following example:

`H_2+I_2\rightarrow HI`

In that case, both hydrogen and iodine have zero as their oxidation states at the reactants whereas they go +1 and -1 respectively at the hydroiodic acid as shown below:

`H_2^0+I_2^0\rightarrow H^+I^-`

In such a way, each hydrogen increases by 1 electron (two electrons in total as there two hydrogens) and iodine decreases by 1 electron (two electrons in total as there two iodines). Thus, the balance turns out:

`H_2^0\rightarrow 2H^++2e^-\\I_2^0+2e^-\rightarrow 2I^-\\\\\\2H_2+2I_2\rightarrow 4HI\\\\H_2+I_2\rightarrow 2HI`

Therefore, redox equations are A. balanced when the total increase in oxidation numbers equals the total decrease in oxidation.

Best regards.

Answer 2

The correct answer is A balanced

Step-by-step explanation:

Redox reaction belongs to specific type of chemical or biochemical reaction in which oxidation and reduction occurs simultaneously.

For example

6CO2+12H2O=C6H12O6+6O2+6H2O

The above reaction is a redox reaction because in this reaction CO2 is reduced to form glucose whereas H2O is being oxidized to form O2.

Redox equations are balanced when the total increase in the oxidation number equals the total decrease in the oxidation number.