AP Chemistry : Balancing Oxidation-Reduction Reactions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Chemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #52 : Reaction Types

The following ReDox reaction takes place in acidic solution:

Fe2+ + Cr2O72– → Fe3+ + Cr3+

What is the sum of coefficients in this redox reaction?

Possible Answers:

33

34

36

37

35

Correct answer:

36

Explanation:

When you balance the redox reaction in acidic conditons, there are 6Fe2+, 1 Cr2O72–, 14 H+, 6 Fe3+, 2 Cr3+, and 7 H2O. Don't forget to add the 1 in front of the Cr2O72–

Example Question #31 : Chemical Reactions

For the following unbalanced redox reaction, how many electrons are transferred and which chemical species is being oxidized?

Possible Answers:

Two electrons are transferred; Hg is oxidized

One electron is transferred; Hg is oxidized

Two electrons are transferred; P is oxidized

One electron is transferred; P is oxidized

Correct answer:

Two electrons are transferred; Hg is oxidized

Explanation:

To begin, we will need to separate the given reaction into the two half-reactions by identifying changes in oxidation number. In this case, mercury (Hg) and phosphorus (P) show a change in oxidation number. Mercury begins with an oxidation number of zero, and ends with an oxidation number of . Phosphorus begins with an oxidation number of  and ends with an oxidation number of . Note that the oxidation numbers for fluorine and iodine reamain constant at  for each.

Now we can begin to look at the half-reactions.

Balance the atoms.

Now balance the electrons. We know that each mercury atom loses one electron and each fluorine atom gains one electron.

We can see that two electrons are tranferred. To identify the element being oxidized, we must find the element that is losing electrons. In this case, mercury is being oxidized.

Example Question #1 : Balancing Oxidation Reduction Reactions

How many electrons are involved in the following reaction?

Possible Answers:

4 e-

2 e-

3 e-

5 e-

1 e- 

Correct answer:

5 e-

Explanation:

02

The common factor between 1 e- and 5 e- is 5.  Therefore the number of electrons involved is 5 e-.

Example Question #2 : Oxidation Reduction Reactions

How many electrons are involved in the following reaction?

Possible Answers:

10 e- 

2 e-

5 e-

4 e-

1 e-

Correct answer:

10 e- 

Explanation:

01

The common factor between 2 e- and 5 e- is 10.  Therefore the number of electrons involved is 10 e-.

Example Question #2 : Balancing Oxidation Reduction Reactions

What is the balanced coefficient on OH- for the following reaction:

                (under basic conditions)

Possible Answers:

3

2

5

1

4

Correct answer:

2

Explanation:

03

 

Add them together:

 

Simplify: 

 

Add Hydroxides to each side to counter H+.

 

Simplify:

Example Question #4 : Oxidation Reduction Reactions

What is the sum of all the balanced coefficients in the following reaction:

                    (basic conditions)

Possible Answers:

16

12

10

8

14

Correct answer:

14

Explanation:

04

Add the equations together

 

Simplify

 

Add 2 OH- to each side to cancel out the H+.

 

Simplify:

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