How do you balance the equation?

MnO4^-1(aq) + C2O4^-2(aq)-> Mn^+2(aq) + CO2(g)

To balance the given equation:

Step 1: Count the number of atoms on each side of the equation.
On the left side:
Manganese (Mn) - 1
Oxygen (O) - 4
Carbon (C) - 2
Hydrogen (H) - 0

On the right side:
Manganese (Mn) - 1
Oxygen (O) - 2
Carbon (C) - 1
Hydrogen (H) - 0

Step 2: Start by balancing the elements that appear in only one compound on each side. In this case, there is Mn in both sides of the equation, so we will balance that first.

MnO4^-1(aq) + C2O4^-2(aq) -> Mn^+2(aq) + CO2(g)
1 Mn on the left, and 1 Mn on the right, so no need to balance.

Step 3: Balance the oxygen atoms.
On the left side:
4 O atoms on the MnO4^-1 compound.

On the right side:
2 O atoms on the CO2 compound.

To equalize the number of oxygen atoms, we need to add coefficient numbers in front of the compounds. Multiply the MnO4^-1 compound on the left by 2:

2 MnO4^-1(aq) + C2O4^-2(aq) -> Mn^+2(aq) + 2 CO2(g)

This gives us 8 O atoms on the left side and 4 O atoms on the right side.

Step 4: Balance the carbon atoms.
On the left side:
2 C atoms on the C2O4^-2 compound.

On the right side:
2 C atoms on the CO2 compound.

The carbon atoms are already balanced.

The balanced equation is:
2 MnO4^-1(aq) + C2O4^-2(aq) -> 2 Mn^+2(aq) + 2 CO2(g)

To balance the equation, you need to ensure that the number of each type of atom is the same on both sides of the equation. Here's how you can balance this equation:

1. Start by examining the atoms that appear only once on each side of the equation. In this case, we have one manganese (Mn) atom on the left side and one on the right side. These are already balanced.

2. Next, let's balance the carbon (C) atoms. We have two carbon atoms on the right side due to the CO2 molecule. Hence, we need to have two carbon atoms on the left side as well. To achieve this, place a coefficient of 2 in front of the C2O4^-2 molecule, giving us:

MnO4^-1(aq) + 2C2O4^-2(aq) -> Mn^+2(aq) + CO2(g)

3. Now, let's balance the oxygen (O) atoms. On the left side, we have four oxygen atoms from the MnO4^-1 molecule and eight oxygen atoms from the C2O4^-2 molecule, totaling 12 oxygen atoms. To balance this, we need six oxygen atoms on the right side. We can achieve this by placing a coefficient of six in front of the H2O molecule, resulting in:

MnO4^-1(aq) + 2C2O4^-2(aq) -> Mn^+2(aq) + 6CO2(g)

4. Finally, validate the balance by checking all atoms again. We have one manganese atom on both sides, four carbon atoms on both sides, and 12 oxygen atoms on both sides.

The balanced equation is:

MnO4^-1(aq) + 2C2O4^-2(aq) -> Mn^+2(aq) + 6CO2(g)

You need to learn how to do these yourself. Here is a good site that covers all the basics of redox equations. I can help get you started. Mn changes from an oxidation state of +7 on the left to +2 on the right. C changes from +3 for EACH C on the left to +4 each on the right. The FIRST thing you do is place a 2 for CO2 and use BOTH C atoms for total charge.

http://www.chemteam.info/Redox/Redox.html