Redox Reactions: Balanced Equation Example Problem

This is a worked example redox reaction problem showing how to calculate volume and concentration of reactants and products using a balanced redox equation.

Quick Redox Review

A redox reaction is a type of chemical reaction in which reduction and oxidation occur. Because electrons are transferred between chemical species, ions form. So, to balance a redox reaction requires not only balancing mass (number and type of atoms on each side of the equation) but also charge. In other words, the number of positive and negative electrical charges on both sides of the reaction arrow is the same in a balanced equation.

Once the equation is balanced, the mole ratio may be used to determine the volume or concentration of any reactant or product as long as the volume and concentration of any species are known.

Redox Reaction Problem

Given the following balanced redox equation for the reaction between MnO₄^- and Fe²⁺ in an acidic solution:

• MnO₄^-(aq) + 5 Fe²⁺(aq) + 8 H⁺(aq) → Mn²⁺(aq) + 5 Fe³⁺(aq) + 4 H₂O

Calculate the volume of 0.100 M KMnO₄ needed to react with 25.0 cm³ 0.100 M Fe²⁺ and the concentration of Fe²⁺ in a solution if you know that 20.0 cm³ of solution reacts with 18.0 cm³ of 0.100 KMnO₄.

How to Solve

Since the redox equation is balanced, 1 mol of MnO₄^- reacts with 5 mol of Fe²⁺. Using this, we can obtain the number of moles of Fe²⁺:

• moles Fe²⁺ = 0.100 mol/L x 0.0250 L
• moles Fe²⁺ = 2.50 x 10^-3 mol
• Using this value:
• moles MnO₄^- = 2.50 x 10^-3 mol Fe²⁺ x (1 mol MnO₄^-/ 5 mol Fe²⁺)
• moles MnO₄^- = 5.00 x 10^-4 mol MnO₄^-
• volume of 0.100 M KMnO₄ = (5.00 x 10^-4 mol) / (1.00 x 10^-1 mol/L)
• volume of 0.100 M KMnO₄ = 5.00 x 10^-3 L = 5.00 cm³

To obtain the concentration of Fe²⁺ asked in the second part of this question, the problem is worked the same way except solving for the unknown iron ion concentration:

• moles MnO₄^- = 0.100 mol/L x 0.180 L
• moles MnO₄^- = 1.80 x 10^-3 mol
• moles Fe²⁺ = (1.80 x 10^-3 mol MnO₄^-) x (5 mol Fe²⁺ / 1 mol MnO₄)
• moles Fe²⁺ = 9.00 x 10^-3 mol Fe²⁺
• concentration Fe²⁺ = (9.00 x 10^-3 mol Fe²⁺) / (2.00 x 10^-2 L)
• concentration Fe²⁺ = 0.450 M

Tips for Success

When solving this type of problem, it's important to check your work:

• Check to make certain the ionic equation is balanced. Make certain the number and type of atoms is the same on both sides of the equation. Make certain the net electrical charge is the same on both sides of the reaction.
• Be careful to work with the mole ratio between reactants and products and not the gram quantities. You may be asked to provide a final answer in grams. If so, work the problem using moles and then use the molecular mass of the species to convert between units. The molecular mass is the sum of the atomic weights of the elements in a compound. Multiply the atomic weights of atoms by any subscripts following their symbol. Don't multiply by the coefficient in front of the compound in the equation because you've already taken that into account by this point!
• Be careful to report moles, grams, concentration, etc., using the correct number of significant figures.

Sources

• Schüring, J., Schulz, H. D., Fischer, W. R., Böttcher, J., Duijnisveld, W. H., eds (1999). Redox: Fundamentals, Processes and Applications. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg ISBN 978-3-540-66528-1.
• Tratnyek, Paul G.; Grundl, Timothy J.; Haderlein, Stefan B., eds. (2011). Aquatic Redox Chemistry. ACS Symposium Series. 1071. ISBN 9780841226524.