How to convert cell diagram to a chemical equation? How would one convert on the right side of the cell diagram:
$$\ce{Zn(s) | Zn^2+(aq) || MnO4-(aq), Mn^2+(aq), H+(aq) | Pt(s)}$$
$$
\begin{align}
\ce{Zn(s) &amp;-&gt; Zn^2+(aq)} \tag{ox}\\
\ce{MnO4-(aq) &amp;-&gt; Mn^2+(aq)}\tag{red}
\end{align}
$$
Obviously, one would then balance and combine the half-equations. I just need to know if the unbalanced half-equations are correct.
Assuming you meant $\ce{MnO^-4}$ and not $\ce{MnO^{4-}}$, your reduction half reaction is incorrect. Because according to your equation $\ce{Mn^{2+}}$ is being oxidised to $\ce{MnO^-4}$ rather than being reduced.
The correct half cell reactions would be:
$$
\ce{Zn -&gt; Zn^{2+} + 2e-}\\
\ce{MnO^-4 + 8H+ + 5e- -&gt; Mn^{2+} + 4H2O}\\
$$
And so the overall balanced reaction would come out to be:
$$\ce{5Zn + 2MnO^-4 + 16H+ -&gt; 5Zn^{2+} + 2Mn^{2+} + 8H2O}$$