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JFScience - Need help with a Chem. equation

  • 26-10-2010 11:57am
    #1
    Keogg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 427 ✭✭


    Ok so I'm totally lost when it comes to chemistry, and I really need somebody to help me out with balancing this equation:
    MnO4[-](aq) + HCO2[-](aq) = MnO2 (s) + CO2 (g)


Comments

  • #2
    goingnowhere
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,290 ✭✭✭goingnowhere


    That doesn't make any sense, there is hydrogen on the right but not on the left, thats either a typo or a deliberate mistake to force you to do some independent thought to the problem, this ain't the leaving certificate

    Typically you are given the full equation and asked to balance to ensure the sum on elements on the left is the same on the right after the reaction has happened, its a pain since you need to worry about the charge

    At a guess I'd have: MnO4[-] + HCO2[-] = MnO2 + CO2 + H20

    So solve that equation

    Its been a while since I did this but its more to do with math than chemistry


  • #3
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 3,505 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Don't know how much it's fair to tell you tbh, so I'll try to just steer you a bit.

    Split up your equation into a Mn side and a C side.
    Balance the oxidation numbers with e-.
    Balance the overall charge on each side, but remember it's not protons you use, you're in basic conditions.
    Multiply each equation by a number which would balance the charges with both equations.
    Slap them together and see what settles. Cancel some stuff.


  • #4
    Jammyc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,979 ✭✭✭Jammyc


    Keogg wrote: »
    Ok so I'm totally lost when it comes to chemistry, and I really need somebody to help me out with balancing this equation:
    MnO4[-](aq) + HCO2[-](aq) = MnO2 (s) + CO2 (g)
    Are you going to the Basic Chem tutorials? Those tutors are more than happy to explain stuff either through email or will meet up to help with lab stuff too. If you're not, give em a shout anyway, they're pretty helpful.


  • #5
    Konata
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,164 ✭✭✭Konata


    goingnowhere wrote: »
    That doesn't make any sense, there is hydrogen on the right but not on the left, thats either a typo or a deliberate mistake to force you to do some independent thought to the problem, this ain't the leaving certificate

    You need to balance those equations using oxidation numbers and counting electrons - hence they'll be adding in H+ on the RHS during the calculation.

    OP - we've loads of notes on balancing equations from lectures. If you just follow an example step by step and able the same logic each step to your own question, it should work out :) Otherwise, think about doing as Jammyc said!


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