Topic: Balancing Redox Reactions

To balance redox reactions, they are split into oxidation and reduction half-reactions. The goal is to conserve both mass and charge. In acidic solutions, H2O balances oxygen, and H+ balances hydrogen. In basic solutions, the reaction is first balanced as if it were acidic, and then OH- ions are added to neutralize any H+. Finally, the half-reactions are multiplied so the electrons cancel out when combined.