Question

"Balance the following equation for a half reaction that occurs in basic solution. Use e– as the symbol for an electron."

AgO --> Ag2O

Answer 1

H₂O + 2AgO + 2e⁻ → Ag₂O + 2OH⁻

Step-by-step explanation:

• First, we write the half reaction:

AgO → Ag₂O

• Then we balance the metal ( in this case it's Ag):

2AgO → Ag₂O

• Next we add H₂O to balance O:

2AgO → Ag₂O + H₂O

• Then we add H⁺ to balance H:

2H⁺ + 2AgO → Ag₂O + H₂O

• Because the solution is basic, we add OH⁻ to both sides, in order to cancel out the H⁺ (In this case we add 2 OH⁻):

2H₂O + 2AgO → Ag₂O + H₂O + 2OH⁻, we cancel H₂O on both sides:

H₂O + 2AgO → Ag₂O + 2OH⁻

• Finally we add electrons to balance charges:

H₂O + 2AgO + 2e⁻ → Ag₂O + 2OH⁻

Now the equation is balanced, both sides have the same number of atoms and the same charge.

Answer 2

The balanced equation for the half reaction that occurs in basic solution is

`2AgO + H_(2)O + 2e^- -\ \textgreater \ Ag_2O + 2OH^-`
Bothe the right and left side of the equation has an equal number of electrons and equal number of elements.