Complete and balance the following half-reactions. In each case indicate whether the half-reaction is an oxidation or a reduction. $$ \begin{array}{l}{\text { (a) } \mathrm{Mo}^{3+}(a q) \longrightarrow \mathrm{Mo}(s) \text { (acidic solution) }} \\ {\text { (b) } \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{3}(a q) \longrightarrow \mathrm{SO}_{4}^{2-}(a q) \text { (acidic solution) }} \\ {\text { (c) } \mathrm{NO}_{3}^{-}(a q) \longrightarrow \mathrm{NO}(g)(\text { acidic solution })} \\ {\text { (d) } \mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \longrightarrow \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l) \text { (acidic solution) }} \\ {\text { (e) } \mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \longrightarrow \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l) \text { (basic solution) }} \end{array} \\\ {\text { (f) } \mathrm{Mn}^{2+}(a q) \longrightarrow \mathrm{MnO}_{2}(s) \text { (basic solution) }} \\ {\text { (g) } \mathrm{Cr}(\mathrm{OH})_{3}(s) \longrightarrow \mathrm{CrO}_{4}^{2-}(a q) \text { (basic solution) }} $$

Short Answer

Expert verified
Here are the balanced reactions: a) \( \textrm{Mo}^{3+}(aq) + 3 \, \textrm{e}^- \rightarrow \textrm{Mo}(s) \) - Reduction b) \( \textrm{H}_{2}\textrm{SO}_{3}(aq) + \textrm{H}_{2}\textrm{O} \rightarrow \textrm{SO}_{4}^{2-}(aq) + 4 \, \textrm{H}^+ + 2 \, \textrm{e}^- \) - Oxidation c) \( \textrm{NO}_{3}^{-}(aq) + 2 \, \textrm{H}^+ + \textrm{e}^- \rightarrow \textrm{NO}(g) + \textrm{H}_{2}\textrm{O} \) - Reduction d) \( \textrm{O}_{2}(g) + 4 \, \textrm{H}^+ + 4 \, \textrm{e}^- \rightarrow 2 \, \textrm{H}_{2}\textrm{O}(l) \) - Reduction e) \( 2 \, \textrm{O}_{2}(g) + 4 \, \textrm{H}_{2}\textrm{O}(l) + 4 \, \textrm{e}^- \rightarrow 4 \, \textrm{OH}^{−}(aq) \) - Reduction f) \( \textrm{Mn}^{2+}(aq) + 2 \, \textrm{OH}^-(aq) + 2 \, \textrm{e}^- \rightarrow \textrm{MnO}_{2}(s) + \, \textrm{H}_{2}\textrm{O}(l) \) - Reduction g) \( \textrm{Cr}(\textrm{OH})_{3}(s) + 5 \, \textrm{e}^- + 6 \, \textrm{OH}^-(aq) \rightarrow \textrm{CrO}_{4}^{2-}(aq) + 3 \, \textrm{H}_{2}\textrm{O}(l) \) - Reduction

Step by step solution

01

Balance elements other than O and H

The molybdenum is already balanced; we have Mo^3+ on the left and Mo on the right.
02

Balance O atoms

There are no O atoms in this reaction, so we can skip this step.
03

Balance H atoms

There are no H atoms in this reaction, so we can skip this step as well.
04

Balance charge

There is a charge of +3 (Mo^3+) on the left, and 0 on the right. To balance the charges, we add 3 electrons (e-) on the left side. \[ \textrm{Mo}^{3+}(aq) + 3 \, \textrm{e}^- \rightarrow \textrm{Mo}(s) \]
05

Oxidation or reduction?

Since 3 electrons are gained, it is a reduction half-reaction. #b) H2SO3 (aq) -> SO4^2- (aq) (acidic solution)#
06

Balance elements other than O and H

Balance S atoms: We have one S atom on both sides, so it is already balanced.
07

Balance O atoms

The left side has 3 O atoms, while the right side has 4. Adding 1 H2O on the left side to balance the O atoms: \[ \textrm{H}_{2}\textrm{SO}_{3}(aq) + \textrm{H}_{2}\textrm{O} \rightarrow \textrm{SO}_{4}^{2-}(aq) \]
08

Balance H atoms

The left side has 2 + 2 = 4 H atoms, and there are no H atoms on the right side. To balance, add 4 H+ ions on the right side: \( \textrm{H}_{2}\textrm{SO}_{3}(aq) + \textrm{H}_{2}\textrm{O} \rightarrow \textrm{SO}_{4}^{2-}(aq) + 4 \, \textrm{H}^+ \)
09

Balance charge

The left side: 0 charge, right side: -2 + (4 * +1) = +2 charge. To balance the charges, add 2 electrons (e-) on the right side: \[ \textrm{H}_{2}\textrm{SO}_{3}(aq) + \textrm{H}_{2}\textrm{O} \rightarrow \textrm{SO}_{4}^{2-}(aq) + 4 \, \textrm{H}^+ + 2 \, \textrm{e}^- \]
10

Oxidation or reduction?

Since 2 electrons are produced, it is an oxidation half-reaction. For the rest of the half-reactions, we will apply the same steps mentioned above. #c) NO3^-(aq) -> NO(g) (acidic solution)#
11

Balanced reaction

\[ \textrm{NO}_{3}^{-}(aq) + 2 \, \textrm{H}^+ + \textrm{e}^- \rightarrow \textrm{NO}(g) + \textrm{H}_{2}\textrm{O} \] Reduction half-reaction. #d) O2(g) -> H2O(l) (acidic solution)#
12

Balanced reaction

\[ \textrm{O}_{2}(g) + 4 \, \textrm{H}^+ + 4 \, \textrm{e}^- \rightarrow 2 \, \textrm{H}_{2}\textrm{O}(l) \] Reduction half-reaction. #e) O2(g) -> H2O(l) (basic solution)#
13

Balanced reaction

\[ 2 \, \textrm{O}_{2}(g) + 4 \, \textrm{H}_{2}\textrm{O}(l) + 4 \, \textrm{e}^- \rightarrow 4 \, \textrm{OH}^{−}(aq) \] Reduction half-reaction. #f) Mn^2+(aq) -> MnO2(s) (basic solution)#
14

Balanced reaction

\[ \textrm{Mn}^{2+}(aq) + 2 \, \textrm{OH}^-(aq) + 2 \, \textrm{e}^- \rightarrow \textrm{MnO}_{2}(s) + \, \textrm{H}_{2}\textrm{O}(l) \] Reduction half-reaction. #g) Cr(OH)3(s) -> CrO4^2-(aq) (basic solution)#
15

Balanced reaction

\[ \textrm{Cr}(\textrm{OH})_{3}(s) + 5 \, \textrm{e}^- + 6 \, \textrm{OH}^-(aq) \rightarrow \textrm{CrO}_{4}^{2-}(aq) + 3 \, \textrm{H}_{2}\textrm{O}(l) \] Reduction half-reaction.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The capacity of batteries such as the typical AA alkaline battery is expressed in units of milliamp-hours (mAh). An AA alkaline battery yields a nominal capacity of 2850 mAh. (a) What quantity of interest to the consumer is being expressed by the units of mAh? (b) The starting voltage of a fresh alkaline battery is 1.55 V. The voltage decreases during discharge and is 0.80 \(\mathrm{V}\) when the battery has delivered its rated capacity. If we assume that the voltage declines linearly as current is withdrawn, estimate the total maximum electrical work the battery could perform during discharge.

(a) Write the half-reaction that occurs at a hydrogen electrode in acidic aqueous solution when it serves as the cathode of a voltaic cell.(b) Write the half-reaction that occurs at a hydrogen electrode in acidic aqueous solution when it serves as the anode of a voltaic cell. (c) What is standard about the standard hydrogen electrode?

(a) \(\mathrm{A} \mathrm{Cr}^{3+}(a q)\) solution is electrolyzed, using a current of 7.60 \(\mathrm{A} .\) What mass of \(\mathrm{Cr}(s)\) is plated out after 2.00 days? (b) What amperage is required to plate out 0.250 mol Cr from a \(\mathrm{Cr}^{3+}\) solution in a period of 8.00 \(\mathrm{h} ?\)

Magnesium is obtained by electrolysis of molten \(\mathrm{MgCl}_{2}\) . (a) Why is an aqueous solution of MgCl_ not used in the electrolysis? (b) Several cells are connected in parallel by very large copper bars that convey current to the cells. Assuming that the cells are 96\(\%\) efficient in producing the desired products in electrolysis, what mass of Mg is formed by passing a current of \(97,000\) A for a period of 24 \(\mathrm{h} ?\)

Given the following half-reactions and associated standard reduction potentials: $$ \begin{array}{c}{\text { AuBr }_{4}^{-}(a q)+3 \mathrm{e}^{-} \longrightarrow \mathrm{Au}(s)+4 \mathrm{Br}^{-}(a q)} \\ \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad {E_{\mathrm{red}}^{\circ}=-0.86 \mathrm{V}} \\ {\mathrm{Eu}^{3+}(a q)+\mathrm{e}^{-} \longrightarrow \mathrm{Eu}^{2+}(a q)} \\ \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad {E_{\mathrm{red}}^{\circ}=-0.43 \mathrm{V}}\end{array} $$ $$ \begin{array}{r}{\mathrm{IO}^{-}(a q)+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l)+2 \mathrm{e}^{-} \longrightarrow \mathrm{I}^{-}(a q)+2 \mathrm{OH}^{-}(a q)} \\\ {E_{\mathrm{red}}^{\circ}=+0.49 \mathrm{V}}\end{array} $$ (a) Write the equation for the combination of these half-cell reactions that leads to the largest positive emf and calculate the value. (b) Write the equation for the combination of half-cell reactions that leads to the smallest positive emf and calculate that value.

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