Summary - Writing ion-electron equations
To write complex ion-electron equations:
- Balance the atoms that are already present on both sides.
- If the number of oxygen atoms needs to be balanced, add the same number of water molecules to the opposite side (the side with the lower total oxygen).
- Add twice the number of hydrogen ions (H+) as water molecules added to the opposite side.
- Complete the equation by adding the total number of electrons needed to balance the overall electrical charge.
The electrochemical series represents a series of reduction reactions and can be found in the .
The strongest oxidising agents are at the bottom of the left-hand column of the elecrochemical series
The strongest reducing agents are at the top of the right-hand column of the electrochemical series