Question

Balance the redox reaction by inserting the appropriate coefficient: Al + MnO₂ -> Al₂O₃ + Mn

Answer 1

To balance the redox reaction Al + MnO2 -> Al2O3 + Mn, follow these steps: balance the atoms other than hydrogen and oxygen, balance the oxygen atoms by adding H2O, and balance the hydrogen atoms by adding H+ ions.

Step-by-step explanation:

To balance the redox reaction Al + MnO2 -> Al2O3 + Mn, we can follow these steps:

1. First, balance the reactants and products in terms of atoms other than hydrogen and oxygen. In this case, there is one aluminum (Al) atom on the left side and two aluminum (Al) atoms on the right side. So, we need to balance the aluminum atoms by putting a coefficient of 2 in front of Al on the left side: 2Al + MnO2 -> Al2O3 + Mn
2. Next, balance the oxygen atoms. There are two oxygen (O) atoms in MnO2 and three oxygen (O) atoms in Al2O3. To balance the oxygen atoms, we can add three H2O molecules to the left side: 2Al + MnO2 + 3H2O -> Al2O3 + Mn
3. Finally, balance the hydrogen atoms. There are six hydrogen (H) atoms in the three H2O molecules on the left side, and no hydrogen atoms on the right side. To balance the hydrogen atoms, we can add six H+ ions to the right side: 2Al + MnO2 + 3H2O -> Al2O3 + Mn + 6H+

Therefore, the balanced redox reaction is 2Al + MnO2 + 3H2O -> Al2O3 + Mn + 6H+.