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This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:

2 Br-I - 2 e- → 2 Br0 (oxidation)

CuII + 2 e- → Cu0 (reduction)

CuBr2 is a reducing agent, CuBr2 is an oxidizing agent.

Word equation

cupric bromide → copper + bromine

Input interpretation

CuBr2 → Cu + Br2

cupric bromide copper bromine

Balanced equation

Balance the chemical equation algebraically:

CuBr2 → Cu + Br2

Add stoichiometric coefficients, c, to the reactants and products:

c1 CuBr2 → c2Cu + c3Br2

Set the number of atoms in the reactants equal to the number of atoms in the products for Br and Cu:

Br: 2c1 = 2c3

Cu: c1=c2

Since the coefficients are relative quantities and underdetermined, choose a coefficient to set arbitrarily. To keep the coefficients small, the arbitrary value is ordinarily one. For instance, set c1 = 1 and solve the system of equations for the remaining coefficients:

c1 = 1 c2=1 

c3 = 1

Substitute the coefficients into the chemical reaction to obtain the balanced

equation:

Answer:

CuBr2 → Cu + Br2