Summary of "balancing a redox reaction / oxidation number method"
The video, led by Dr. McCord, demonstrates the process of balancing a redox reaction, specifically the classic permanganate iron two redox reaction using the oxidation number method in an acidic solution. The steps include assigning oxidation numbers, setting up half reactions, ensuring the same number of atoms on each side, calculating electrons transferred, identifying the oxidizing and reducing agents, scaling reactions, balancing oxygen and hydrogen atoms, and performing a final check for balance.
Methodology:
- Assign oxidation numbers to each species
- Set up half reactions with arrows
- Ensure the same number of non-oxygen or hydrogen atoms on each side
- Calculate the difference in oxidation numbers to determine the number of electrons transferred
- Identify the oxidizing and reducing agents
- Scale the reactions to match the number of electrons
- Balance oxygen atoms with water and hydrogen atoms with hydrogen ions
- Perform a final check for balanced charges and atoms
