Answer:
SO₃²⁻ + Cu²⁺ + 2OH⁻ ⟶ Cu + SO₄²⁻ + H₂O
Explanation:
I find that the easiest way to balance an equation in basic solution is first to balance as if it were in acid and then convert to base.
Your skeleton equation is
SO₃²⁻ + Cu²⁺ ⟶ SO₄²⁻ + Cu
1. Separate the reaction into two half-reactions
SO₃²⁻ ⟶ SO₄²⁻
Cu²⁺ ⟶ Cu
2. Balance all atoms other than O and H
Done
3. Balance O
SO₃²⁻ + H₂O ⟶ SO₄²⁻
Cu²⁺ ⟶ Cu
4. Balance H
SO₃²⁻ + H₂O ⟶ SO₄²⁻ + 2H⁺
Cu²⁺ ⟶ Cu
5. Balance charge
SO₃²⁻ + H₂O ⟶ SO₄²⁻ + 2H⁺ + 2e⁻
Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻ ⟶ Cu
6. Equalize electrons transferred
1 × [ SO₃²⁻ + H₂O ⟶ SO₄²⁻ + 2H⁺ + 2e⁻]
1 × [ Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻ ⟶ Cu]
7. Add the two half-reactions
SO₃²⁻ + H₂O ⟶ SO₄²⁻ + 2H⁺ + 2e⁻]
<u>Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻ ⟶ Cu </u>
SO₃²⁻ + Cu²⁺ + H₂O ⟶ Cu + SO₄²⁻ + 2H⁺
8. Convert to base
SO₃²⁻ + Cu²⁺ + H₂O ⟶ Cu + SO₄²⁻ + 2H⁺
<u> 2H⁺ + 2OH⁻ ⟶ 2H₂O </u>
SO₃²⁻ + Cu²⁺ + 2OH⁻ ⟶ Cu + SO₄²⁻ + H₂O
