Balancing Redox Reactions

Balancing Redox Reactions

Input Fields

Enter the redox reactionUse ^ for charges, + to separate species, = for the reaction arrow. Example: Cr2O7^2- + H^+ + e^- = Cr^3+ + H2O

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Redox Balancing Formula Explanation

\[\text{Oxidation: Fe}^{2+} \rightarrow \text{Fe}^{3+} + e^-\]\[\text{Reduction: MnO}_4^- + 5e^- + 8\text{H}^+ \rightarrow \text{Mn}^{2+} + \text{H}_2\text{O}\]

To balance a redox reaction:

1. Split the reaction into half-reactions (oxidation and reduction).
2. Balance atoms other than O and H.
3. Balance O with H₂O and H with H⁺ (or OH⁻ in basic medium).
4. Balance charges by adding electrons.
5. Equalize electron transfer and combine half-reactions.

Redox reactions are a combination of oxidation (loss of electrons) and reduction (gain of electrons). This calculator allows you to input unbalanced redox reactions and automatically balance them, accounting for both atoms and charges.

How to use:

Enter your unbalanced redox reaction in the following format:

Cr2O7^2- + H^+ + e^- = Cr^3+ + H2O

• Use + for separating species.
• Use ^ to indicate charges, e.g., Fe^2+, MnO4^-, H^+, SO4^2-.
• Use = as the reaction arrow.
• Include e^- for electrons in half-reactions (optional for full reactions).

💡 The calculator supports:

• Ions and charges
• Acidic or basic media detection
• Half-reactions and full redox reactions
• Formatting with subscripts and superscripts in output

Ideal for chemistry students, educators, and professionals working with redox systems.