Question

determine the overall charge on each side of the arrow. which side should the electrons be added to?
2h₂o + mno₄⁻ → mno₂ + 4oh⁻
a. add electrons to the reactant side.
b. add electrons to the product side.
enter the answer choice letter.

Explanation:

1. Calculate charge on reactant side: \(2\text{H}_2\text{O}\) (neutral, charge 0) + \(\text{MnO}_4^-\) (charge -1) → total reactant charge: \(0 + (-1) = -1\).
2. Calculate charge on product side: \(\text{MnO}_2\) (neutral, charge 0) + \(4\text{OH}^-\) (each \(\text{OH}^-\) has -1, so \(4\times(-1) = -4\)) → total product charge: \(0 + (-4) = -4\).
3. To balance charge (reactant: -1, product: -4), we need to add electrons (negative charge) to the side with less negative charge (reactant side, since -1 is greater than -4). Adding electrons to reactants will increase negative charge to match products.

Answer:

A