
Juan M. answered 04/30/23
Professional Math and Physics Tutor
To balance the given equation, we need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides of the equation.
First, we write the oxidation half-reaction and reduction half-reaction:
Oxidation half-reaction: As → H2AsO-4 + 4H+ + 4e-
Reduction half-reaction: Zn(OH)4^2- + 4e- → Zn + 4OH-
Next, we balance the half-reactions:
Oxidation half-reaction: As + 4OH- → H2AsO-4 + 4H2O + 4e-
Reduction half-reaction: Zn(OH)4^2- + 4e- → Zn + 4OH-
Now, we balance the number of electrons transferred in each half-reaction by multiplying the oxidation half-reaction by 4:
4As + 16OH- → 4H2AsO-4 + 16H2O + 16e-
Zn(OH)4^2- + 4e- → Zn + 4OH-
Finally, we can add the two half-reactions together and cancel out any common species to obtain the balanced equation:
4As + Zn(OH)4^2- + 16OH- → Zn + 4H2AsO-4 + 16H2O
Therefore, the balanced equation for the reaction in basic solution is:
4As + Zn(OH)4^2- + 16OH- → Zn + 4H2AsO-4 + 16H2O.