Question

Why must the charge balance in oxidation-reduction reactions?

a) To satisfy the law of conservation of charge
b) To prevent explosions
c) To maintain constant temperature
d) To increase reaction rate

Answer 1

Charge must balance in redox reactions to satisfy the law of conservation of charge. It ensures the number of electrons is the same before and after the reaction, adhering to the law of conservation of mass and charge.The correct answer is (a) To satisfy the law of conservation of charge.

Step-by-step explanation:

The charge must balance in oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions to satisfy the law of conservation of charge. This is because, in any chemical reaction, the net charge is conserved, meaning the total number of electrons remains constant.

The sum of the individual oxidation states in a molecule or ion must equal the net charge on that molecule or ion. This concept is essential when we balance the chemical equation and also proves that the law of conservation of mass is obeyed during a chemical reaction as mass and charge are conserved.

Redox reactions require the careful tracking of electrons using oxidation numbers assigned based on specific rules.

These oxidation numbers help us ensure that atoms and charges are balanced on both sides of the reaction, and that the electrons essentially 'cancel out', upholding the necessity of charge conservation.

Therefore, the correct answer is (a) To satisfy the law of conservation of charge.