Be sure to answer all parts.

balance the following skeleton reaction and identify the oxidizing and reducing agents:
include the states of all reactants and products in your balanced equation. you do not need to include the states with the identities of the oxidizing and reducing agents.

a. br2(l) → bro3−(aq) + br−(aq)
b. the oxiddizing agent?
c. the reducing agent?

a. 3 Br₂(l) + 6 OH⁻(aq) → 5 Br⁻(aq) + BrO₃⁻(aq) + 3 H₂O

b. Br₂

c. Br₂

Explanation:

In order to balance a redox reaction, we use the ion-electron method.

Step 1: Identify both half-reactions.

Reduction: Br₂(l) → Br⁻(aq)

Oxidation: Br₂(l) → BrO₃⁻(aq)

Step 2: Perform the mass balance. This reaction takes place in basic medium, so we have to add OH⁻ and H₂O where appropriate.

0.5 Br₂(l) → Br⁻(aq)

6 OH⁻(aq) + 0.5 Br₂(l) → BrO₃⁻(aq) + 3 H₂O

Step 3: Perform the electrical balance adding electrons where appropriate.

1 e⁻ + 0.5 Br₂(l) → Br⁻(aq)

6 OH⁻(aq) + 0.5 Br₂(l) → BrO₃⁻(aq) + 3 H₂O + 5 e⁻

Step 4: Multiply both half-reactions by numbers that assure that the number of electrons gained and lost are the same.

5 × (1 e⁻ + 0.5 Br₂(l) → Br⁻(aq))

1 × (6 OH⁻(aq) + 0.5 Br₂(l) → BrO₃⁻(aq) + 3 H₂O + 5 e⁻)

Step 5: Add both half-reactions and simplify when appropriate.

5 e⁻ + 3 Br₂(l) + 6 OH⁻(aq) → 5 Br⁻(aq) + BrO₃⁻(aq) + 3 H₂O + 5 e⁻

3 Br₂(l) + 6 OH⁻(aq) → 5 Br⁻(aq) + BrO₃⁻(aq) + 3 H₂O

The species that is reduced is the oxidizing agent. Ther species that is oxidized is the reducing agent. In this case, Br₂ is both.