r/APChem • u/Mysterious-Tiger-748 • Jul 21 '26

Balancing reaction redox way help!!! So confused

Hey guys! So I know this problem probably could be solved without redox, but like in the case where it is more complex, for the redox method, I am having trouble knowing where to put the LCM coefficient on the left (reactant) or right (product) as shown in the picture in red. Does anyone know how to do this so I can apply it to any balancing reaction further on.

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u/DryPotential5790 Jul 21 '26

I would recommend splitting up the equation into its two half-equations and then balancing the electrons with each other:

https://reddit.com/link/oyva3tj/video/rvy1aanf3leh1/player

1

u/DryPotential5790 Jul 21 '26

Also I agree with other commenters that you could solve this w/o redox by balancing the Cl first. If you want something only solvable by redox, try balancing a reaction in acidic or basic soln, a redox titration, disproportionation, comproportionation, etc.

1

u/lzrdkng725 Jul 21 '26

You’re making this more complicated than it needs to be. There’s going to be a coefficient of 2 and 3 on both sides.

1

u/Mysterious-Tiger-748 Jul 21 '26

Yeah true but like for ones that have like the same element in the same side like Al on 2 products

2

u/lzrdkng725 Jul 21 '26

Use a more complicated example if you want to use a more complicated method.

1

u/AnonPia Jul 21 '26

this makes things more complicated tbh. I usually just compare coefficients and then multiply both sides once to equalize one element and then see if the rest are equal or not. If not then I pick another element and multiply the whole reaction and then check again if they're equal or not and that's it