Algebraic method to balance redox equations

[diffrac]

Hi all,

I'm learning how to solve redox equations. I found the algebraic method to solve equations such as this one:
Fe^{2+} + Cr_{2}O_{7}^{2-} +H^{+}\rightarrow Fe^{3+} + Cr^{3+} + H_{2}0
and i was able to solve it.

What I don't see is how to use that algebraic method to solve an equation without superscripts; since it doesn't allow you to balance the charges, right?
like for example: NaOH + Cr(OH)_{3} + NaClO\rightarrow Na_{2}CrO_{4} +NaCl + H_{2}O

Thanks for your help.

 

[Borek]

If everything is neutral (on both sides of the reaction) there is no need to separately balance the charge. But you can always write an additional identity

0\times a_1 + 0\times a_2 + ... = 0\times b_1 + 0\times b_2 + ...

(assuming a_i are stoichiometric coefficients on the LHS of the equation, and b_i are coefficients on the RHS).

Compare ChemBuddy lecture on the algebraic method of reaction equation balancing - it shows how to balance both equations with charged and uncharged species.

Use [noparse] and [/noparse] tags to format the formulas, don't mix normal text with LaTeX, it is not guaranteed to work OK.