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How do you balance this equation?

__MnO4- (aq) + __Fe2+ (aq) + __H3O+ (aq) --> __Mn2+ (aq) + __Fe3+ (aq) + __H2O (l)

The question asks: What is the coefficient for Fe2+ in the balanced equation. When I balanced it, I put an 8 in front of H3O+ on the left hand side of the equation and 12 in front of H2O (l) on the right side so that each side had 24 H and 12 O total. Thus, the Mn and Fe didn't need any coefficients. But according to the answer key, the coefficient for Fe2+ should be 5. Why?

3 Answers

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  • Favorite Answer

    MnO4{-} + 8H{+} + 5e- <---> Mn2{+} + 4H2O (1)

    Fe2{+} <------> Fe3{+} + e- (2)

    you multiply (2) by 5 and you have

    MnO4{-} + 8H{+} + 5e- <---> Mn2{+} + 4H2O (1)

    5Fe2{+} <------> 5Fe3{+} + 5 e- (2)

    now you add (1) + (2) --->

    MnO4{-} + 5Fe2{+} + 8H{+} <---> Mn2{+} + 5Fe3{+} + 4H2O

  • 5 years ago

    The answer is 5. Your welcome.

  • 5 years ago

    Don't you mean you're welcome and not YOUR welcome?

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