1. FOLLOW THESE FOUR STEPS EVERY TIME!!!
Balancing REDOX 1/2 equations
FOLLOW THESE FOUR STEPS EVERY TIME!!!
Balance all atoms that aren’t oxygen or hydrogen
Balance the oxygens using H2O
Balance the H’s using H+
Balance the charges using electrons (put the electrons on the most positive side)
Check you have on oxidation and one reduction reaction

2. NOTE THE EXTRA STEP IN ALKALINE SOLUTION
Balancing REDOX 1/2 equations
NOTE THE EXTRA STEP IN ALKALINE SOLUTION
Balance all atoms that aren’t oxygen or hydrogen
Balance the oxygens using H2O
Balance the H’s using H+
ADD AN OH- TO EACH SIDE FOR EVERY H+ YOU ADDED
Then add the H+ + OH- to make water and cancel like terms
Balance the charges using electrons (put the electrons on the most positive side)
Check you have on oxidation and one reduction reaction

3. Example: Reduction of MnO4- to Mn2+
MnO Mn2+
MnO Mn2+ + 4H2O
MnO4- + 8H Mn2+ + 4H2O
MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e Mn2+ + 4H2O