Final answer:
The overall redox equation is composed of a reduction half-reaction and an oxidation half-reaction. We balance the equation by separating it into these two parts and ensure that the number of electrons lost in the oxidation-half is equal to the number of electrons gained in the reduction-half.
Step-by-step explanation:
The overall redox equation is composed of a reduction half-reaction and an oxidation half-reaction. To balance the equation, we separate the overall chemical equation into these two parts. The oxidation-reduction reaction involves the transfer of electrons from one substance or atom to another.
We can determine the substances being oxidized and reduced by looking at their oxidation numbers. The number of electrons lost in the oxidation-half must be equal to the number of electrons gained in the reduction-half. Finally, we add the two half-reactions together to get the overall reaction.