- #1
Cromptu
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Hello. I'm having some trouble balancing ionic equations..
Are we supposed to consider the coefficients of the reactants/products?
I came across a contradiction in the examples given in my book :
1) Na + H(+1) → Na(+1) + H2
So in order to figure out the oxidation/reduction part, we will find out the oxidation number. The oxidation number of Na would be 0 as it is in elemental form and since in the RHS it has an oxidation number of +1, it is being oxidized. In case of H, we will balance the element first. So, 2H(+1) → H2
My question is, in this case, what will be the oxidation number of H in the LHS? +1 or +2?
According to the book it is +2 so that means we would be considering the coefficients.
2) I(-1) + Br2 → I2 + Br(-1)
So again we would figure out what is being oxidized and what is being reduced. And here, since the oxidation number of I is being increased from -1 to 0, it is being oxidized. And in case of Br, we would balance the element first. So, Br2 → 2Br
Again, what would be the oxidation number of Br? -1 or -2? Do we consider the coefficient?
Please explain the answer..Thankyou
Are we supposed to consider the coefficients of the reactants/products?
I came across a contradiction in the examples given in my book :
1) Na + H(+1) → Na(+1) + H2
So in order to figure out the oxidation/reduction part, we will find out the oxidation number. The oxidation number of Na would be 0 as it is in elemental form and since in the RHS it has an oxidation number of +1, it is being oxidized. In case of H, we will balance the element first. So, 2H(+1) → H2
My question is, in this case, what will be the oxidation number of H in the LHS? +1 or +2?
According to the book it is +2 so that means we would be considering the coefficients.
2) I(-1) + Br2 → I2 + Br(-1)
So again we would figure out what is being oxidized and what is being reduced. And here, since the oxidation number of I is being increased from -1 to 0, it is being oxidized. And in case of Br, we would balance the element first. So, Br2 → 2Br
Again, what would be the oxidation number of Br? -1 or -2? Do we consider the coefficient?
Please explain the answer..Thankyou