Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of Matter and Change 7th Edition

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 007351117X
ISBN 13: 978-0-07351-117-7

Chapter 21 - Problems - Page 967: 21.4

Answer

See explanation below.

Work Step by Step

Water is an electrically neutral molecule while O2- is negatively charged, having two extra electrons. Balancing a reaction involves balancing both atoms and charge. So if O2- is used, charge cannot be balanced in the reaction, only atoms will be. Therefore, water is used for balancing.
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