November 24, 2024, 05:55:28 PM
Forum Rules: Read This Before Posting


Topic: Balancing Oxidation-Reduction Equations  (Read 1938 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline akaEMILY

  • Regular Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 17
  • Mole Snacks: +0/-0
Balancing Oxidation-Reduction Equations
« on: April 03, 2012, 12:53:52 PM »
Zn2+(aq) +  Fe(s) → Fe2+(aq) +  Zn(s)
Seems fairly simple.. Not quite sure why I'm getting it wrong.

Oxidation numbers: 2+, 0, 2+, 0
Zinc is the reduction agent, it loses 2.
Iron is the oxidation, it gains 2.
So shouldn't the balanced equation be:

2Zn2+(aq) + 2Fe(s) → 2Fe2+(aq) +  2Zn(s)

Offline sjb

  • Global Moderator
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 3653
  • Mole Snacks: +222/-42
  • Gender: Male
Re: Balancing Oxidation-Reduction Equations
« Reply #1 on: April 03, 2012, 01:03:42 PM »
Zn2+(aq) +  Fe(s) → Fe2+(aq) +  Zn(s)
Seems fairly simple.. Not quite sure why I'm getting it wrong.

Oxidation numbers: 2+, 0, 2+, 0
Zinc is the reduction agent, it loses 2.
Iron is the oxidation, it gains 2.
So shouldn't the balanced equation be:

2Zn2+(aq) + 2Fe(s) → 2Fe2+(aq) +  2Zn(s)

This is not false, but can you see a common factor amongst the reactants and products?

Offline akaEMILY

  • Regular Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 17
  • Mole Snacks: +0/-0
Re: Balancing Oxidation-Reduction Equations
« Reply #2 on: April 03, 2012, 01:45:00 PM »
Wow I didn't even think to reduce it.. silly me. I kept getting it wrong on my online assignment and I was wondering why it wasn't accepting it.

Thank you. Sometimes I just need a little help to cue in.

Sponsored Links