Balancing Half Reactions
- Divide into 2 half reactions: an oxidation and a reduction
- Balance the atoms except for oxygen and hydrogen
- Balance the oxygens with water
- Balance the hydrogens with H+
- Balance the charges by adding electrons
- Equalize the electrons between the two half reactions by multiplying each half reaction by the number of electrons in the other half reaction
- Combine the half reactions into a single equation
- Cancel electrons, waters, etc. that appear on both sides of the equation
- If the reaction is done under basic conditions then add enough OH- to both sides equal to the number of H+ ions, change any H+ + OH- to water, subtract any waters that appear on both sides
- Double check that charges and atoms are balanced on both sides of the equation
