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WAChemistryQuick questions
Unit 3: Equilibrium, Acids and Bases, and Redox
Quick questions on Oxidation numbers and balancing half-equations: WACE Year 12 Chemistry
3short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What are writing half-equations?Show answer
A half-equation shows just the oxidation or just the reduction, including the electrons. For example, the oxidation of iron(II) to iron(III):
What is balancing half-equations in acidic solution?Show answer
For more complex half-equations involving oxygen, use this sequence:
What are combining half-equations?Show answer
To get the overall equation, multiply each half-equation so the number of electrons lost equals the number gained, then add them and cancel the electrons. The electrons must cancel exactly; if they do not, the multiplication is wrong.
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