balance the equation for a reaction in acidic aqueous solution: Cl- + MnO4- ---> HClO + Mn3+ answer: 6H3O+(aq) +MnO4-(aq) + 2Cl- (aq) ---> Mn3+(aq) +8H2O (l) + 2HClO (aq) why would this be an incorrect answer? Solution Cl- + MnO4- ---> HClO + Mn3+ oxidation half reaction reduction half reaction Cl^- (aq) ----------> HClO(aq) MnO4^- (aq) ---------------> Mn^3+ (aq) Cl^- (aq)+ H2O ----------> HClO(aq) MnO4^- (aq) ---------------> Mn^3+ (aq)+4H2O(l) Cl^- (aq)+ H2O ----------> HClO(aq) +H^+(aq) MnO4^- (aq) +8H^+(aq)---------------> Mn^3+ (aq)+4H2O(l) Cl^- (aq)+ H2O ----> HClO(aq) +H^+(aq) +2e^- MnO4^- (aq) +8H^+(aq)+4e^------> Mn^3+ (aq)+4H2O(l) 2Cl^- (aq)+ 2H2O ----> 2HClO(aq) +2H^+(aq) +4e^- MnO4^- (aq) +8H^+(aq)+4e^------> Mn^3+ (aq)+4H2O(l) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2Cl^- (aq) + MnO4^- (aq) +6H^+ (aq) --------------> 2HClO(aq) + Mn^3+ (aq) + 2H2O(l) .