Consider the half-reaction O₂(aq) $\rightarrow$ OH^-(aq).When the equation is balanced in basic solution, the coefficient for water will be__________, and the number of electrons transferred will be __________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

First, let's balance the atoms other than O and H in the half-reaction: O₂(aq) + 4F1F1F1S1 -> F1F1F10O + H2^-(aq) Next, we balance the oxygen atoms by adding 2 OH- ions to the right side: O₂(aq) + 4F1F1F1S1 -> F1F1F10O + 2H2O^-(aq) Finally, we balance the hydrogen atoms by adding 4 H2O molecules to the right side: O₂(aq) + 4F1F1F1S1 -> F1F1F10O + 2H2O^-(aq) + 4H2O(l) So the coefficient for water is 4, and the number of electrons transferred is 4, since there are 4 F- ions on the left and none on the right. However, since this is in basic solution, we need to add 4 OH- ions to both sides to neutralize the H+ ions that are produced when water is formed: O₂(aq) + 4F1F1F1S1 + 4OH- -> F1F1F10O + 2H2O^-(aq) + 4H2O(l) + 4OH- Now the number of electrons transferred is 4, and the coefficient for water is still 4.

Consider the Half-Reaction O2(aq) →\rightarrow→ OH-(aq)

Consider the Half-Reaction O₂(aq) $\rightarrow$ OH^-(aq)