Question #bfe80

1 Answer
Oct 16, 2016

ClO3(aq)+3SO2(g)+6OH(aq)3SO24(aq)+Cl(aq)+3H2O(l)

Explanation:

The reaction to balance is the following:

ClO3(aq)+SO2(g)SO24(aq)+Cl(aq)

Step 1 : we will first split the reaction into two half equations:

Oxidation: SO2SO24

Reduction: ClO3Cl

Step 2 : balance the other elements other than oxygen and nitrogen.

They are balanced.

Step 3 : balance oxygen using H2O:

Oxidation: SO2+2H2OSO24

Reduction: ClO3Cl+3H2O

Step 4 : balance hydrogen using H+:

Oxidation: SO2+2H2OSO24+4H+

Reduction: ClO3+6H+Cl+3H2O

Step 5 : balance charges using e:

Oxidation: SO2+2H2OSO24+4H++2e

Reduction: ClO3+6H++6eCl+3H2O

Step 7 : sum the two half equations while cancelling the number of electrons by multiplying each half equation by the corresponding integer:

Oxidation: 3×(SO2+2H2OSO24+4H++2e)

Reduction: 1×(ClO3+6H++6eCl+3H2O)

RedOx: ClO3(aq)+3SO2(g)+3H2O(l)3SO24(aq)+Cl(aq)+6H+(aq)

Step 8 : cancel the H+ ions by adding OH to each side:

RedOx: ClO3(aq)+3SO2(g)+3H2O(l)+6OH(aq)3SO24(aq)+Cl(aq)+6H+(aq)+6OH(aq)6H2O

Step 9 : FINALLY, cancel the H2O molecules on both sides:

RedOx: ClO3(aq)+3SO2(g)+6OH(aq)3SO24(aq)+Cl(aq)+3H2O(l)

Here is a video that explains this topic in details:
Balancing Redox Reactions | Basic Medium.