1.
Assign oxidation numbers to
each element and
determine
which substances are changing their oxidation states.
2.
Write an unbalanced half
reaction for oxidation and reduction.
3.
Balance each half reaction
by
a.
Balance the main element
b.
Balance any O by adding H2O
c.
Balance any H by adding H+
ions
d.
Balance the charges by
adding electrons, e-
4.
Multiply each half-reaction
by an appropriate coefficient so that
the number of
electrons lost = the number of electrons gained
5.
Add the two half reactions
together.
6. Eliminate anything that appears in identical form on both sides
of
the equation.
7. Check that the charges balance on both sides of the equation.