Is it necessary to break the equation into half reactions in the oxidation number method?
1 Answer
No, you don't use half-reactions in the oxidation number method.
Here's how you use the oxidation number to balance the following equation.
Step 1. Identify the atoms that change oxidation number
Left hand side:
Right hand side:
The changes in oxidation number are:
Step 2. Equalize the changes in oxidation number
You need 5 atoms of
Step 3. Insert coefficients to get these numbers
Step 4. Balance
Step 5. Balance H by adding H⁺ ions to the appropriate side
And the equation is balanced.