Ionic Equations

Any redox reaction is made up of two half-reactions: in one of them electrons are being lost (an oxidation process) and in the other one those electrons are being gained (a reduction process).These two equations are described as ionic-half-equationsThe half equations are balanced so that they have the same number of electrons. The two half equations are then added together to give the full equation

Balancing Equations Using Oxidation Number

• Identify the elements whose oxidation numbers have changed then balance the elements so that the decrease in oxidation number of the oxidising agents equals the increase in oxidation number of the reducing agents.• Ensure the atoms are balanced• Balance the charges by adding electrons where necessary.