Balance the equations below assuming they occur in an acidic solution. (a) H2O2+Sn2+⟶H2O+Sn4+

Question

Balance the equations below assuming they occur in an acidic solution. 

(a) H2O2+Sn2+⟶H2O+Sn4+ 

 

 

Answer 1

Redox balancing is acid:

Work with the half reactions separately and add them together at the end.

Sn²⁺ ==> Sn⁴⁺ + 2e- ... oxidation half reaction

H₂O₂ ==> H₂O ... reduction half reaction (b/c O in H2O2 is -1 and in H2O it is -2)

Sn²⁺ ==> Sn⁴⁺ + 2e- ... balanced for mass and charge

H₂O₂ ==> H₂O + H₂O ... balanced for oxygen

H₂O₂ + 2H⁺ ==> H₂O + H₂O ... balanced for oxygen and hydrogen

H₂O₂ + 2H⁺ + 2e-==> H₂O + H₂O ... balanced for mass and charge

Sn²⁺ ==> Sn⁴⁺ + 2e- ... oxidation rx balanced for mass and charge

H₂O₂ + 2H⁺ + 2e-==> H₂O + H₂O ... reduction rx balanced for mass and charge

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Sn²⁺ + H₂O₂ + 2H⁺ + 2e- ==> Sn⁴⁺ + 2e- + H₂O + H₂O

Sn²⁺ + H₂O₂ + 2H⁺ ==> Sn⁴⁺ + 2H₂O balanced redox equation