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For a half-reaction in an acidic solution, which substances should you add to balance the equation?

a. H+ and H2O
b. H+ and OH−
c. H2O and NO2
d. OH−

1 Answer

1 vote
The answer is a. H+ and H2O. For a half-reaction in acidic solutions, elements that are not hydrogen and oxygen are balanced first. Then we add H2O to balance oxygen atoms and we add H+ to balance the hydrogen atoms. We do the same steps for basic solutions, but we also add hydroxide ions OH- in the latter part.
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