Question

Balance the equation:
Note: If a chemical species coefficient is "1" then "1" needs to be entered in the field before that species.
MnO4– + H+ + C2O42– Mn2+ + H2O + CO2

I'm not exactly sure how to do this question..Help?

Answer 1

This is a redox equation and you balance it by following the rules on balancing that type of equation. Here is a site that will give you some information. I can help by telling you that Mn goes from +7 on the left to +2 on the right which is a gain of 5 electrons. C goes from +6 (for both of them) on the left to +8 on the right (for 2 of them so put a 2 there now). I think you can finish. If you have trouble tell me exactly what you don't understand. Remember that in balancing redox equations that the electrons lost must equal the electrons gained; therefore, the multipliers you must use to keep the e lost equal to e gained become the coefficients to balance the equation. Those atoms NOT involved in redox are balanced by inspection (trial and error). Here is the site.
http://dbhs.wvusd.k12.ca.us/webdocs/Redox/Meaning-of-Redox.html

Answer 2

2 mno4
16 h
5 c2o4

then

2 mn
8 h20
10 co2

Answer 3

the answer is correct!