This is the Message Centre for Orcus
Can you help a thick Chemistry teacher?
Mu Beta Started conversation Jun 9, 2010
Wotcha. This is making no sense to me.
My AS-Level chemists took an exam on Monday with a question about iodate and iodide ions.
One of the questions gives the following half-equation and asks them to complete and balance it:
IO3- + ___H+ + ________ -> I- + 3H2O
What on Earth is this supposed to be all about? It balances with 6H+, so what is the second gap supposed to be for?
My view is that someone intended to use this equation and made an almighty cockup:
IO3- + I- + 6H+ -> I2 + 3H2O
What do you think? Am I missing something obvious?
B
Can you help a thick Chemistry teacher?
Mu Beta Posted Jun 10, 2010
Hang on!
Just counted my charges and read the half-equation bit properly. They are presumably looking for 6e-.
Which is a bit shifty in my opinion. Slightly worried that took 24 hours though.
B
Can you help a thick Chemistry teacher?
Orcus Posted Jun 11, 2010
Ah, too late. 
Why is 6e- 'a bit shifty'?
Seems perfectly reasonable to me as it is only a half reaction. All electrode potential half reactions will do this.
Can you help a thick Chemistry teacher?
Mu Beta Posted Jun 11, 2010
It's a bit shifty because they don't get taught electrode potentials until next year. 
B
Key: Complain about this post
Can you help a thick Chemistry teacher?
More Conversations for Orcus
Write an Entry
"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a wholly remarkable book. It has been compiled and recompiled many times and under many different editorships. It contains contributions from countless numbers of travellers and researchers."