balancing redox equations
balance each equation using both the half reaction and oxidation number method.on a separate piece of paper, re-write each question, and show all your steps for each question.
a)fe2 mno4-fe3 mn2 (acidic)
The oxidation number of Fe +3 is equal to it's charge i.e +3 Same for the oxidation number of Mn is equal to +2.
Write the oxidation numbers under the equation.
Fe2+ + MnO4 - -> Fe 3+ + Mn 2+
+2 +7 +3 +2
Now identify what is oxidised and reduced. Oxidation is the loss of electrons where Reduction is the gain of electrons.
Ok so oxidation number of Fe +2 goes to +3 that means it looses one electron ( e- ). That means it's oxdised. The oxidation number of MnO4 - goes from +7 to +2 that means it gains five electrons i.e it's reduced.
To balance the equation we know that in order for MnO4 - to be reduced we need 5 electrons. When something is reduced something has to be oxidised. Therefore we need 5 Fe +2 to give up 5 electrons.
The ratio is 5:1
5Fe 2+ + MnO4 - -> 5Fe 3+ + Mn +2
Hope this helps the reaction is not complete though as you gave me the proper reaction is as fallows.