19.2 How to Balance Oxidation Reduction Reactions

1. Split into half reactions.

2. Balance all elements except oxygen and hydrogen.

3. Balance oxygen by adding H₂O.

4. Balance hydrogen by adding H⁺.

5. Balance the charge by adding electrons.

6. Multiply half reactions by factors to make the number of electrons the same.

7. Combine half reactions canceling anything that shows up on both sides of the reaction.

8. Conditional: If balancing in base add the same number of OH^- to both sides as H⁺ present.

    On the side with the H⁺ the H⁺/OH^- combine to form H₂O.

 9. Cancel any excess H₂O that now shows up on both sides of the reaction (if necessary).