Determining number of electrons transferred

When determining the number of electrons transferred in a redox reaction is it the total in both half equations? 


For example:


$$\ce{2I- + Zn^2+ -> I2 + Zn}$$ 


First we split it up into the two half-reactions and get the following 


$$\ce{2I -> I2 + 2e-}$$


$$\ce{Zn^2+ + 2e- -> Zn}$$


So would the number of electrons transferred in the redox reaction be two or four?





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> When determining the number of electrons transferred in a redox reaction is it the total in both half equations?
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In the total redox reaction *that is properly balanced*, the number of electrons transferred is equal to the stoichiometric coefficient of the $\ce{e-}$ species in either *balanced* half-reaction.



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> So would the number of electrons transferred in the redox reaction be two or four?
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> 
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Your half-reactions and total redox reaction happen to be balanced, to the number of electrons transferred in this case is **two**.


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