What is the principal difference between balancing a redox reaction in acidic solution and balancing a redox reaction in basic solution?
a) To balance a redox reaction in acidic solution, we add the appropriate amounts of H?+ and H2O. The same is done for balancing a redox reaction in basic solution, except that the H?+ and H2O are added to opposite sides of the reaction.
b) To balance a redox reaction properly, there can be no negatively charged species in acid and no positively charged species in base.
c) To balance a redox reaction in acidic solution, we add the appropriate amounts of H?+ and H2O. To balance a redox reaction in basic solution, we add the appropriate amounts of OH?- and H2O.
d) There is no difference between balancing a reaction in acid or base. The balanced reaction is exactly the same.