the reaction:

Cr2O7^-2(aq) + Cl- -> Cr^3+(aq) + Cl2(g)

My balancing.
Cr2O7^-2(aq)-> Cr^3+(aq)
+Cr +7H2O
+14H+ +6e-
Cr2O7^-2(aq)+14H+ +6e- -> 2Cr^3+(aq)+7H2O

Cl- -> Cl2(g)
+Cl- +2e-
2Cl- -> Cl2 +2e-

Cr2O7^-2(aq)+14H+ +6e- +2Cl- -> 2Cr^3+(aq)+7H2O +Cl2 +2e-
therefore
Cr2O7^-2(aq)+14H+ +4e- +2Cl- -> 2Cr^3+(aq)+7H2O +Cl2

However, the answer to the number of total coefficients is 33, and i got 31. What am I missing?

Just at first glance, did you multiply the 2Cl--> Cl2 + 2e by 3 to make electrons gained = electrons lost. I don't see the 3 anywhere. But I didn't check that to see if the coefficients added to 33.

Yes, that makes the sum of the coefficients 33.

ohhhhhhh....duh i always forget that part at the end to make them equal jeesh thank you

so much

You're welcome! It's easy to overlook those small details when balancing equations. Don't worry, it happens to everyone. Just remember to make sure the number of electrons gained is equal to the number of electrons lost, and that should help you balance the equation correctly. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

You're welcome! It's easy to overlook that step sometimes. When balancing redox reactions, it's important to ensure that the number of electrons gained is equal to the number of electrons lost in order to maintain charge balance. In this case, you needed to multiply the equation "Cl- + 2e- -> Cl2" by 3 to balance the electrons. By doing so, you would get:

3(Cl-) + 6e- -> 3(Cl2)

Now, when you add this equation to the overall reaction, the number of total coefficients should be 33:

Cr2O7^-2(aq) + 14H+ + 4e- + 3(Cl-) -> 2Cr^3+(aq) + 7H2O + Cl2

The coefficients will be 33: 1 for Cr2O7^-2, 14 for H+, 4 for e-, 3 for Cl-, 2 for Cr^3+, 7 for H2O, and 1 for Cl2.