How do you balance half-reactions in a basic solution?

• A. Add OH- to balance oxygen, then add H2O to balance hydrogen, and finally add electrons to balance charge.
• B. Add H2O to balance oxygen, then add OH- to balance hydrogen, and finally add electrons to balance charge.
• C. Add H2O to balance oxygen, then add H+ to balance hydrogen, and finally add OH- to neutralize H+.
• D. Add electrons to balance charge, then add H2O to balance oxygen, and finally add OH- to balance hydrogen.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the half-reaction that needs to be balanced. Write down the unbalanced half-reaction equation.
2. Balance the oxygen atoms by adding H₂O molecules to the side that needs more oxygen atoms.
3. Balance the hydrogen atoms by adding OH^- ions to the side that needs more hydrogen atoms. This step is specific to basic solutions.
4. Balance the charge of the half-reaction by adding electrons (e^-) to the more positive side or the side with a higher positive charge.
5. Ensure that the number of electrons lost in the oxidation half-reaction equals the number of electrons gained in the reduction half-reaction if combining half-reactions into a full redox reaction.