Final answer:
In balancing chemical equations, one must ensure that both the amounts and types of atoms, as well as charges, are balanced on each side of the equation. The number of oxygen atoms on the right-hand side for a balanced equation in an acidic solution can be determined by balancing charges with H+ ions and adjusting coefficients.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process described in the question involves balancing a chemical equation in an acidic solution. This entails ensuring that the numbers of each type of atom on the reactants side equal those on the products side and that the overall charges are balanced.
For the reaction given, the right side of the equation has a total charge of -2, whereas the left side has a total charge of 0. We can balance the charge in an acidic solution by adding H+ ions, and balance the atoms by adjusting coefficients. For instance, adding water molecules (H₂O) to the reactant side helps to balance oxygen atoms.
An example of a balanced chemical equation in basic solution, according to provided information, could be:
2 Al + 2 OH- + 6 H₂O → 2 [Al(OH)₄]^- + 3 H₂. Here the left side contains 14 oxygen atoms, as we have 6 H₂O molecules each contributing 1 O atom, and 2 OH- ions each with 1 O atom. On the product side, we have 8 O atoms in the form of 2 [Al(OH)₄]^- ions. To balance the O atoms, we can adjust coefficients in front of compounds as needed without altering their identities.