Question

Combine these half reactions and reduce identical species to complete the redox reaction.

Cr₂O₇⁻² + 6e⁻ + 14H⁺ = 2Cr⁺³ + 7H₂O
3C₂O₄⁻² = 6CO₂ + 6e⁻

Answer 1

To combine and balance these redox half-reactions, no multiplication is needed. The balanced redox reaction is Cr₂O₇⁻² + 14H⁺ + 3C₂O₄⁻² → 2Cr⁺³ + 7H₂O + 6CO₂.

Step-by-step explanation:

To combine and balance redox half-reactions, we need to ensure that the electrons are equal in both reactions. In this case, the oxidation half-reaction requires 6 electrons, while the reduction half-reaction generates 6 electrons. Thus, no multiplication is needed. After canceling out the electrons and other common species, the balanced redox reaction is:

Cr₂O₇⁻² + 14H⁺ + 3C₂O₄⁻² → 2Cr⁺³ + 7H₂O + 6CO₂