Balance the following oxidation reduction reactions

Question

Cl2(g)-----> Cl-(aq) OCl-(aq)

how do u break up this reaction into 2 different reactions for balancing?

Answer 1

you break them up, & put them back together later:

Cl2  & 2 electrons taken -->  2 Cl-

Cl2 -->  2 (OCl)- &  2 electrons lost

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now combine them, since they balance in e- taken & lost

2 Cl2  --> 2 Cl-  & 2 OCl-

it was already balanced:

Cl2(g)-----> Cl-(aq)  &  OCl-(aq)

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if you want the oxygens taken care of , I'll add water, & produce H+

Cl2(g)  & H2O -----> Cl-(aq) &  OCl-(aq) & 2 H+