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Redox Reactions

Constructing ion/electron half-equations

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 1

Overview

Recall questions on the sequence for balancing a half-equation in acid solution, balancing the atoms then the oxygens with water, the hydrogens with hydrogen ions and the charge with electrons, and worked half-equations for the common oxidising and reducing agents.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Process

State the order of steps used to build a half-equation for a reaction in acidic solution.

Key term

Write the half-equation for the reduction of acidified dichromate(VI) ions to chromium(III) ions.

Numbers

How many electrons are gained per dichromate(VI) ion, and what oxidation number change causes this?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    State the order of steps used to build a half-equation for a reaction in acidic solution.

    Model answer

    Balance the atoms other than oxygen and hydrogen, add water molecules to balance the oxygen, add H⁺ ions to balance the hydrogen, then add electrons to balance the charge.

  2. 2

    Write the half-equation for the reduction of acidified dichromate(VI) ions to chromium(III) ions.

    Model answer

    Cr₂O₇²⁻ + 14H⁺ + 6e⁻ → 2Cr³⁺ + 7H₂O.

  3. 3

    How many electrons are gained per dichromate(VI) ion, and what oxidation number change causes this?

    Model answer

    Six electrons are gained, because each of the two chromium atoms falls from +6 to +3.

  4. 4

    Write the half-equation for the reduction of acidified manganate(VII) ions to manganese(II) ions.

    Model answer

    MnO₄⁻ + 8H⁺ + 5e⁻ → Mn²⁺ + 4H₂O.

  5. 5

    State the change in oxidation number of manganese when manganate(VII) is reduced to manganese(II).

    Model answer

    Manganese falls from +7 to +2, a gain of five electrons.

  6. 6

    Write the half-equation for the oxidation of thiosulfate ions to tetrathionate ions.

    Model answer

    2S₂O₃²⁻ → S₄O₆²⁻ + 2e⁻.

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AThe equation is k = A exp(−Ea/RT).
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