Question

Write and balance the half-reaction for the oxidation of white phosphorous P4 to the phosphate ion PO3^−4 in a basic solution.

Answer 1

Since the half-reaction is occurring in a basic solution, add 32OH− to each side of the equation to eliminate the H+ ions.

P₄ +16H₂O + 32OH⁻ ⟶ 4PO₃⁻⁴ + 32H⁺ +32OH⁻

Final reaction :

P₄ + 32OH⁻ ⟶ 4PO₃⁻⁴ + 16H₂O + 20e⁻

A half reaction is either the oxidation or reduction reaction component of a redox reaction. A half reaction is obtained by considering the change in oxidation states of individual substances involved in the redox reaction.

The concept of half-reactions is used to describe what occurs in an electrochemical cell, such as a Galvanic cell battery. Half-reactions can be written to describe both the metal undergoing oxidation (known as the anode) and the metal undergoing reduction (known as the cathode).

Half-reactions are often used as a method of balancing redox reactions. For oxidation-reduction reactions in acidic conditions, after balancing the atoms and oxidation numbers, one will need to add H+ ions to balance the hydrogen ions in the half reaction.

For oxidation-reduction reactions in basic conditions, after balancing the atoms and oxidation numbers, first treat it as an acidic solution and then add OH- ions to balance the H+ ions in the half reactions (which would give H2O).

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