Question

Balance the following oxidation–reduction reaction by the half-reaction method: CuCl?

Answer 1

To balance the oxidation-reduction reaction CuCl, you need to write the half-reactions for both oxidation and reduction, balance the elements other than hydrogen and oxygen, balance oxygen by adding water, and balance hydrogen by adding H+.

Step-by-step explanation:

To balance the oxidation-reduction reaction CuCl, you need to write the half-reactions for both oxidation and reduction, balance the elements other than hydrogen and oxygen, balance oxygen by adding water, and balance hydrogen by adding H+.

The balanced oxidation half-reaction is Cu(s) → Cu²+ (aq) + 2e-

The balanced reduction half-reaction is HCl(aq) + e- → H+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

You can add the two half-reactions together and cancel out the electrons to get the balanced overall reaction:

Cu(s) + 2HCl(aq) → Cu²+ (aq) + 2Cl-(aq) + H₂(g)