Question #c3e76

1 Answer
May 2, 2017

#2Cu^(2+) + SO_3^(2-) +2HO^(-)rarr 2Cu^(+) + SO_4^(2-)+H_2O#

Explanation:

#"Oxidation:"#

#stackrel(+IV)SO_3^(2-) +H_2O rarr stackrel(+VI)SO_4^(2-)+2H^+ + 2e^(-)#

#"Reduction:"#

#Cu^(2+) +e^(-) rarr Cu^(+)#

And thus.............

#2Cu^(2+) + SO_3^(2-) +H_2O rarr 2Cu^(+) + SO_4^(2-)+2H^+ #

But BASIC solution was specified, and so we simply add #2xxHO^(-)# to BOTH SIDES of the equation:

#2Cu^(2+) + SO_3^(2-) +cancel(H_2O) +2HO^(-)rarr 2Cu^(+) + SO_4^(2-)+cancel(2)H_2O#

To give,.........

#2Cu^(2+) + SO_3^(2-) +2HO^(-)rarr 2Cu^(+) + SO_4^(2-)+H_2O#

Which looks balanced to me. Whether it represents an actual redox process is moot.