The given reaction is:
3 Cu + 2 NO
3- + 8 H
+ 3 Cu
2+ + 4 H
2O + 2 NO.
So 2 e
- proceed to Cu, and 4 e
- leave NO
3-. I've gotten the equation to:
12 Cu
+ + 4 NO
3- + 16 H
+ 12 Cu
2+ + 8 H
2O + 4 NO
... by accounting for oxidation states and cross multiplying. What I want to know is: how many electrons in total have been transferred by this reaction? I believe it's two, but please correct me if I'm wrong. I'm getting confused as to whether I need to account for the coefficients in counting electrons transferred.
Thanks in advance!