Question

What is the final, balanced equation that is formed by combining these two half reactions?

Answer 1

Answer: Balanced equation that is formed by combining these two half reactions is $Cu + NO^{-}_{3} + 2H^{+} \rightarrow Cu^{2+} + NO^{-}_{2} + H_{2}O$.

Explanation:

A chemical equation which contains same number of atoms on both reactant and product side is called a balanced chemical equation.

For example, $Cu \rightarrow Cu^{2+} + 2e^{-}$

$NO^{-}_{3} + 2e^{-} + 2H^{+} \rightarrow NO^{-}_{2} + H_{2}O$

On cancelling the common species from both these half-reactions, the complete balanced equation will be as follows.

$Cu + NO^{-}_{3} + 2H^{+} \rightarrow Cu^{2+} + NO^{-}_{2} + H_{2}O$

Thus, we can conclude that balanced equation that is formed by combining these two half reactions is $Cu + NO^{-}_{3} + 2H^{+} \rightarrow Cu^{2+} + NO^{-}_{2} + H_{2}O$.