Question #ff027

1 Answer
May 19, 2017

#8HNO_3 + 3Mg^o => 3Mg(NO_3)_2 + 2NO + 4 H_2O#

Explanation:

There are several ways to balance oxidation-reduction reactions. Three popular methods are
- Half-Reaction Method => Breaking the given equation into half-reactions (one, oxidation and the other reduction), balancing each separately and then adding the two together to get the working equation.
- Extracting Half Reactions from a reduction potential table (these are usually balanced as published). Reversing the oxidation reaction and adding to the reduction reaction such that both charge and mass balance.
- Oxidation Number Method => Following a strict protocol for balancing oxidation-reduction equations and simplyfying to give the working equation.

In this note, the Oxidation Number Method is presented. but the other methods are as reliable.

The Oxidation Number Method of Balancing Oxidation-Reduction Equations
http://chemunlimited.com/Chem%201412%20-%20Course%20Topics%20Outline.pdf (pg 8)
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