Answer:
In acidic solutions, oxygen atoms are balanced in redox equations by following these steps:
1. Identify the unbalanced half-reactions:
- Separate the redox equation into two half-reactions: oxidation and reduction.
- Determine which atoms and elements are unbalanced in each half-reaction.
2. Balance the atoms other than oxygen and hydrogen:
- Start by balancing atoms other than oxygen and hydrogen in each half-reaction, using coefficients as needed.
- This step ensures that the number of atoms on both sides of the equation is equal.
3. Balance the hydrogen atoms:
- Add H+ ions to balance the hydrogen atoms in each half-reaction.
- The number of H+ ions should be equal to the number of hydrogen atoms that need to be balanced.
4. Balance the oxygen atoms:
- Add H2O molecules to balance the oxygen atoms in each half-reaction.
- The number of H2O molecules should be equal to the number of oxygen atoms that need to be balanced.
5. Balance the charge:
- Add electrons (e-) to balance the charges on each side of the equation.
- The number of electrons should be equal to the difference in charges between the two sides of the half-reaction.
6. Multiply the half-reactions:
- Multiply each half-reaction by a suitable integer so that the number of electrons transferred in both reactions is the same.
- This ensures that the total charge is balanced when the two half-reactions are combined.
7. Combine the balanced half-reactions:
- Add the balanced half-reactions together, canceling out common terms on each side of the equation.
- Make sure that the number of atoms, charge, and electrons are balanced on both sides of the final equation.
These steps help balance the oxygen atoms in redox equations in acidic solutions while maintaining overall charge balance. It's essential to practice with specific examples to gain a better understanding of the process.
Step-by-step explanation: