Redox Equation Balancer

Initializing live version
Download to Desktop

Requires a Wolfram Notebook System

Interact on desktop, mobile and cloud with the free Wolfram Player or other Wolfram Language products.

"Redox" stands for reduction-oxidation. These are many chemical reactions that involve two different chemical species, one of which has its oxidation state reduced and the other that is increased. Redox problems can be broken into two half-reactions involving the addition and release of electrons.

[more]

One particular characteristic of most redox problems is that the identity of the elements other than O and H do not matter; only their oxidation states do! The species in question that are being reduced or oxidized depends on the number of oxygen and hydrogen atoms in the reactants and products, not on the species itself. However, not every redox problem can be taken as input (see the assumptions in the Details). To understand the redox balancer, first study the form of the equation. Each variable can be manipulated to get the intended number of each atom and each charge. "A" and "B" denote two different elements that stay the same "A" and "B" in the products. Also, do not forget to choose whether the reaction takes place in an acidic or basic medium.

For some redox problems to try, go to [1] or [2].

The initialized redox problem is reacting in acid. For a more comprehensive look at what redox is, see [3].

[less]

Contributed by: Victor Hakim (May 2013)
Suggested by: Brinn Belyea
Open content licensed under CC BY-NC-SA


Snapshots


Details

Here are the assumptions for the input:

1. Oxygen always has oxidation state () and hydrogen is always in state ().

2. No peroxides or fluorine atoms are allowed in the input.

3. Input must be composed of two half-reactions, one reduction and one oxidation. There must be two reactants and two products.

4. Oxidation states must change in the reaction. Otherwise, the output will be "This is not a valid redox problem."

Snapshot 1: full balanced equation of in acid.

Snapshot 2: full balanced equation of in base.

Snapshot 3: full balanced equation of in acid.

References

[1] A. Allan. ScienceGeek.net. "Oxidation-Reduction Balancing." (May 21, 2013) www.sciencegeek.net/APchemistry/APpdfs/extraredox.pdf.

[2] L. Ladon. Towson University Chemistry Tutoring Center. "Practice Problems for Balancing Redox Equations in Acid/Base." (Aug 7, 2012) pages.towson.edu/ladon/redoxprac.htm.

[3] E. Kent. KentChemistry.com. "What Is Redox?" (May 21, 2013) www.kentchemistry.com/links/Redox/WhatisRedox.htm.



Feedback (field required)
Email (field required) Name
Occupation Organization
Note: Your message & contact information may be shared with the author of any specific Demonstration for which you give feedback.
Send