Balance this half-reaction in acid. You must show all work and label if it is a reduction or an oxidation half-reaction.

Question

a. Balance this half-reaction in acid. You must show all work and label if it is a reduction or an oxidation half-reaction. C₂H₃O₂^1- → CO₂.

b. Balance the same half-reaction in base. You must show all work and label it.

Answer 1

C₂H₃O₂^- ==> CO₂

C₂H₃O₂^- ==> 2CO₂ ... balanced for C

C₂H₃O₂^- + 2H₂O ==> 2CO₂ ... balanced for C and O

C₂H₃O₂^- + 2H₂O ==> 2CO₂ + 7H⁺ ... balanced for C, O and H (using acid, H⁺)

C₂H₃O₂^- + 2H₂O ==> 2CO₂ + 7H⁺ + 8e- ... balanced for C, O, H and charge = balanced equation

Since electrons are on the right side, this is an oxidation half reaction.

C₂H₃O₂^- ==> CO₂

C₂H₃O₂^- ==> 2CO₂ ... balanced for C

C₂H₃O₂^- + 2H₂O ==> 2CO₂ ... balanced for C and O

C₂H₃O₂^- + 2H₂O + 7OH^- ==> 2CO₂ + 7H₂O ... balanced for C, O and H (using base, OH^-)

C₂H₃O₂^- + 2H₂O + 7OH^- ==> 2CO₂ + 7H₂O + 8e- ... balanced for C, O, H, and charge = balanced equation

Since electrons appear on the right side, this is an oxidation half reaction