22.3. Balancing Redox Equations http://www.ck12.org
22.3 Balancing Redox Equations
Lesson Objectives
- Be able to write half-reactions for oxidation-reduction processes.
- Be able to distinguish the oxidation half-reaction from the reduction half-reaction.
- Be able to balance redox reactions.
Lesson Vocabulary
- half-reaction: Describes half of the redox reaction process.
Check Your Understanding
Study the following diagram, which depicts the mass change that occurs when steel wool burns in air.
FIGURE 22.7
Mass changes for steel wool burning in
air.What happens to the mass of the steel wool as the reaction proceeds? Given that mass must be conserved in chemical
reactions (it cannot come from nowhere), what is your explanation for the change in the mass of the steel wool?
Introduction
You have already learned the basic methods for balancing chemical equations to describe chemical reactions.
Sometimes complicated reactions can be identified as redox reactions, in which case a special method of balancing
chemical equations can be used to simplify the process and prevent unnecessary guessing and checking. In this
lesson you will learn how to use this method.