How Do You Balance Redox In Acidic Solutions?
Oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions are essential in the field of chemistry, and many experiences in everyday life relate directly to them. The transfer of electrons is at the heart of this subject; it does not refer to transferring oxygen atoms, despite this common misconception. You cannot have a reduction without an oxidation, and vice versa. A common way to remember which process is which is by using the acronym LEO GER (Loss of Electrons, Oxidation; Gain of Electrons, Reduction). These two go hand in hand and provide the underlying chemistry of many processes, including batteries, combustion, metallurgy, corrosion and respiration. Write the unbalanced net ionic equation, that is, the equation you wish to balance without having done anything to it yet. Decide which atoms are oxidized and which are reduced, and write the two unbalanced half-reactions. Determining which species has been oxidized and which reduced can be tricky, so pay close attention. Once you separate the net ioni
