Find the Oxidation state

of chromium
CrCl2

(X +2x(-1))

CrCl3

X=?

K2CrO4

X=?

K2Cr2O7

X=?

,X=2

Chromium gives great example of

different oxidation numbers

Different oxidation states of

chromium have different colors
Chromium (II) chloride = blue
Chromium (III) chloride = green
Potassium chromate = yellow
Potassium dichromate = orange

Determine the oxidation number

of the underline elements in each
of the following compound:
a. H2CO3
b. N2
c. Zn(OH)42d. NO2e. LiH

Formation of sodium ions shows oxidation b/c each

sodium atom loses an electron to become sodium ion

Oxidation state represented by putting

oxidation number above symbol of atom
and ion

Oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions involve

transfer of electrons

Oxidation loss of electrons

Reduction gain of electrons
Both half-reactions must happen at the
same time
Can be identified through understanding
of oxidation numbers

Would you use an oxidizing agent or reducing

agent in order for the following reactions to occur?

a. ClO3-

ClO2

b. SO42-

S2-

c. Mn2+

MnO2

d. Zn

ZnCl2

Identify the species being oxidized

and reduced in each of the following
reactions:
a.

2 Cr2++ Sn4+

Cr3+ + Sn2+

b. 3 Hg2+ + 2 Fe (s)
c. 2 As (s) + 3 Cl2 (g)

3 Hg + 2 Fe3+
2 AsCl3

Problem
Complete and balance the
following half reaction(s) In
each case, indicate whether
oxidation or reduction occurs.
(d) OH- O2(g)
(basic solution)

(e) SO32-

(aq)

SO42-

(basic solution)

(aq)

Rules for balancing oxidation

reduction
reaction
Step 1: Split into two half reaction equations: Oxidation and
Reduction
Step 2: Balance each of the half equations in this order:
Atoms other than H and O
O atoms by adding H2Os with proper coefficient and for basic
medium use OH- .H atom is balanced with H2O in BASIC medium.
H atoms by adding H+ with proper coefficient
Step 3: Balance the charges of the half reactions by adding electrons
step 4: Obtain the overall redox equation by combining the half
reaction, but multiply entire equation by number of electrons in
oxidation with reduction equation, and number of electrons in
reduction with oxidation equation.

Step 5: Simplify and cancel out similar terms on both sides, like the
e- and waters.

Balancing Oxidation-Reduction
Reactions:
1. Assign oxidation numbers to every
atom in the reaction.
Cr2O72- + C2O42- Cr3+ + CO2

Balancing Oxidation-Reduction
Reactions:
1. Assign oxidation numbers to every
atom in the reaction.
Cr2O72- + C2O42- Cr3+ + CO2
+12/2=+6

+6/2=+3

+3

+4

Divide the sum of the charges by the number

of atoms to get the oxidation number for
chromium and carbon in the reactants.

Balancing Oxidation-Reduction Reactions:

. Write bare bones half reactions.

Half reduction reaction14H+ +Cr2O7 - - + 6e- 2Cr+3 +7H2O
(1)
Half oxidation reaction C2O4 -- 2 CO2
+ 2e- (2)

Balancing Oxidation-Reduction Reactions:

Multiply each half reaction by the

appropriate factor so that the number of
electrons lost = number of electrons
gained.
(14H+ +Cr2O7 - - + 6e- 2Cr+3 +7H2O )X1

(C2O4

--

2 CO2 + 2e- )X3

Balancing Oxidation-Reduction Reactions:

Add the two half reactions

together.

14H+ + Cr2 O7--+ 6e- 7H2O+2 Cr+3

3C2O4- - 6 CO2 + 6e14H+ +Cr2O7-- + 3C2O4-- 2 Cr+3 + 6
CO2 +7H2O
At this point, the electrons lost =
the electrons gained during the

Balancing Oxidation-Reduction Reactions:

8. Check the balance for all atoms in the

reaction.
14 H+ + Cr2O72- + 3C2O42- 2Cr3+ + 6CO2 + 7 H2O
Left: 14 H Right: 14 H
2 Cr
2 Cr
19 O 19 O
6C 6C

Exercise

Balance: (acidic)
MnO4- (aq) + C2O42- (aq) Mn2+ (aq) + 2CO2 (g)

1. The two incomplete half reactions

are
MnO4-(aq) Mn2+(aq)
C2O42-(aq) 2CO2(g)

Balancethefollowingredoxreactionsusingthehalf
reactionmethod.Showyourworkstepbystep.

1.HNO3(aq)+Cu(s)Cu(NO3)2(aq)+NO(g)+H2O(l)