Balancing Redox Reactions Worksheet

Balancing Redox Reactions

Read each question carefully and balance the following redox reactions using the half-reaction method. Show all your work for full credit.

1. Balance the following redox reaction in acidic solution:

Cr₂O₇²⁻(aq) + SO₃²⁻(aq) → Cr³⁺(aq) + SO₄²⁻(aq)

2. Balance the following redox reaction in basic solution:

MnO₄⁻(aq) + C₂O₄²⁻(aq) → MnO₂(s) + CO₃²⁻(aq)

3. In a redox reaction,   is the loss of electrons, and   is the gain of electrons.

4. When balancing redox reactions in acidic solution, we add H⁺ ions to balance  , and H₂O to balance  .

5. In basic solutions, after balancing with H⁺ and H₂O, we add   ions to both sides to neutralize the H⁺ ions.

6. The oxidation number of an element in its elemental form is always zero.