Question

The question asks me to balance the following redox reaction using the half-reaction method:

HClO (aq) + NO (g) --> Cl^1- (aq) + HNO₂ (aq) (acidic solution)

Answer 1

For half reaction method:

HClO --> Cl-

NO --> HNO2

1, balance atoms other than H, O, Cl and N are already balanced, so continue

HClO --> Cl-

NO --> HNO2

2, balance O, adding H2O

HClO --> Cl- + H2O

H2O + NO --> HNO2

3, balance H adding H+

H+ + HClO --> Cl- + H2O

H2O + NO --> HNO2 + H+

4, balance charges

2e- + H+ + HClO --> Cl- + H2O

H2O + NO --> HNO2 + H+ + e-

5, balance electrons

2e- + H+ + HClO --> Cl- + H2O

2H2O + 2NO --> 2HNO2 + 2H+ + 2e-

6, add all

2e- + H+ + HClO + 2H2O + 2NO --> Cl- + H2O + 2HNO2 + 2H+ + 2e-

7, cancel common terms

HClO + H2O + 2NO --> Cl- + 2HNO2 + H+

8, verify

H--> 3 in left/right

Cl = 1 in left/right

N = 2 in left/right

O = 4 in left/right

charges: 0 in left, 0 in right

this is already balanced in acidic solution ( i.e. H+ is present)