How many hydrogen ions must be added to the half reaction given below to balance the mass for hydrogen atoms?
Mn04 ^- (aq) ā MnO 2 (s)
Options:
a) 4 on the left side
b) 4 on the right side
c) 2 on the left side
d) 2 on the right side
e) 1 on the left side
In order to balance the mass for hydrogen atoms in the half reaction:
MnO4^- (aq) ā MnO2 (s)
We need to determine how many hydrogen atoms there are on each side of the equation.
On the left side of the equation, there are no hydrogen atoms present.
On the right side of the equation, there are two hydrogen atoms present in the MnO2 (s) compound.
Therefore, we need to add 2 hydrogen ions (H+) to the left side of the equation in order to balance the mass for hydrogen atoms.
The correct option is:
c) 2 on the left side