Balance the following redox reaction in acidic and basic solutions:
Fe(OH)2(s) + O2(g) --> Fe(OH)3(s)
These are the steps my instructor gave us to balance redox reactions:
1. Divide into 1/2 rxns (reduction & oxidation)
2. Balance atoms other than H & O
3. Balance O with H2O
4. Balance H with H+
5. Balance charge by adding e-
6. Equalize # of e- and add reactions
-- in basic soln --
7. Balance H+ by adding OH-
I only included the steps she gave us because everyone seems to have a different way of balancing these reactions. My problem with this reaction though is just plain writing the half reactions! I have a feeling that the oxidation reaction is Fe2+ --> Fe3+, but I am not sure how to write the reduction reaction. Any help is greatly appreciated!