502 - Jan. 2000 Chemistry of the Metals 1. Same number of atoms on both sides. Same net ionic charge on both sides. Includes many polymerization reactions. For example, additions to double or triple bonds in organic chemistry.
Much time is wasted trying to balance equations by inspection when redox methods are called for.
Much time can also be wasted on equations that have only one type of redox change. Both oxidation and reduction must be present or else neither. Products, in general, should be the most thermodynamically stable species. For redox type reactions, use the steps given below. Procedure for Balancing Redox Equations Assign correct oxidation numbers to all elements.