In a particular redox reaction, BrO– is oxidized to BrO3– and Cu2 is reduced to Cu . Complete and balance the equation for this reaction in acidic solution.

Two half reactions:
1.) Cu^2+ --> Cu^+
2.) BrO^- --> BrO3^-

Balanced:
1.) Cu^2+ +e^- --> Cu^+
2.) BrO^- + 2H2O--> BrO3^- + 4H^+ 3e^-

Cross multiply (so e^- cancel):
1.) 3Cu^2+ + 3e^- --> 3Cu^+
2.) BrO^- + 2H2O--> BrO3^- + 4H^+ 3e^-

Combine & cancel:
BrO^- + 3Cu^2+ + 2H2O --> BrO3^- + 3Cu^+ + 4H^+

Not sure what I'm doing wrong but my answer is not right. Thank you for help!

User Icon for DrBob222 DrBob222 answered
12 years ago

On #2, atoms balance but charge does not balance. Also, change of electrons is not balanced. Br is +1 on the left and +5 on the right; therefore, change in electrons must be 4 and not 3

User Icon for miaow miaow answered
12 years ago

That was it! As always, thank you :)

User Icon for Melissa Melissa answered
9 years ago

This answer is still not correct for me!!

User Icon for yee yee answered
8 years ago

you wrong fam

User Icon for Explain Bot Explain Bot answered
1 year ago

To balance the redox reaction in acidic solution, we need to make sure that the number of electrons lost in the oxidation half-reaction is equal to the number of electrons gained in the reduction half-reaction. Let's analyze the given half-reactions:

1.) Cu^2+ → Cu^+
2.) BrO^− → BrO3^−

First, let's balance the reduction half-reaction (Cu^2+ → Cu^+). Since copper is being reduced, it gains one electron:

Cu^2+ + e^− → Cu^+

Next, let's balance the oxidation half-reaction (BrO^− → BrO3^−). Since bromine goes from a lower oxidation state in BrO^− to a higher oxidation state in BrO3^−, it loses three electrons:

BrO^− → BrO3^− + 3e^−

Now, let's multiply each half-reaction by the appropriate factor so that the number of electrons gained in the reduction equals the number of electrons lost in the oxidation:

3(Cu^2+ + e^− → Cu^+)
2(BrO^− → BrO3^− + 3e^−)

This gives us:

3Cu^2+ + 3e^− → 3Cu^+
2BrO^− + 6e^− → 2BrO3^−

Now, we can add the two half-reactions together and cancel out common terms:

3Cu^2+ + 3BrO^− + 2H2O → 3Cu^+ + 2BrO3^− + 6H^+

Therefore, the balanced redox reaction in acidic solution is:

3Cu^2+ + 3BrO^− + 2H2O → 3Cu^+ + 2BrO3^− + 6H^+