[akaEMILY]

So I've done three questions.. and I've gotten all 3 wrong and I really don't know how I've gotten them wrong.

1. Balance the half reaction: ClO3−(aq) → ClO4−(aq)
4H2O + CLO3- -> CLO4- + 3H2O + 2H+

Final Answer: H20 + CLO3- -> CLO4 + 2H+
2. Balance the half reaction: Au(s) → Au(OH)3(aq)
Final Answer: 3H20 + Au -> Au(OH)3 + 3H+

3. Balance the reaction BiO+(aq) +  Mn2O3(s) → Bi2O4(aq) +  Mn2+(aq)
Worked with the two half reactions
8H20 + 8BiO+ -> 4Bi2O4 + 16H+ + 12e-
12e- + 18H+ + 3Mn2O3 -> 6Mn2+ + 9H20
Final Answer: 8BiO+ + 2H+ + 3Mn2O3 -> 6Mn2+ + H20 + 4Bi2O4

It's really bugging me because I can look at both sides of the equation and tell if they are balanced myself. Is there a constant error that I keep doing that is reoccurring to make all my answers wrong?

[sjb]

So I've done three questions.. and I've gotten all 3 wrong and I really don't know how I've gotten them wrong.

1. Balance the half reaction: ClO3−(aq) → ClO4−(aq)
4H2O + CLO3- -> CLO4- + 3H2O + 2H+

This is not balanced in terms of charge, you have a total of 1- on the left, and 1+ on the right.

Final Answer: H20 + CLO3- -> CLO4 + 2H+

2. Balance the half reaction: Au(s) → Au(OH)3(aq)
Final Answer: 3H20 + Au -> Au(OH)3 + 3H+

Again, not balanced in terms of charge

3. Balance the reaction BiO+(aq) +  Mn2O3(s) → Bi2O4(aq) +  Mn2+(aq)
Worked with the two half reactions
8H20 + 8BiO+ -> 4Bi2O4 + 16H+ + 12e-
12e- + 18H+ + 3Mn2O3 -> 6Mn2+ + 9H20
Final Answer: 8BiO+ + 2H+ + 3Mn2O3 -> 6Mn2+ + H20 + 4Bi2O4

It's really bugging me because I can look at both sides of the equation and tell if they are balanced myself. Is there a constant error that I keep doing that is reoccurring to make all my answers wrong?

[Borek]

Is there a constant error that I keep doing that is reoccurring to make all my answers wrong?

As sjb pointed out - seems like you are not aware that balanced means not only the same number of atoms on both sides, but also the same charge on both sides. Same number of atoms reflects mass conservation (atoms can't be created out of nowhere), same charge reflect charge conservation (charge can't be created out of nowhere).

[akaEMILY]

Okay, I see my mistake. I'm getting the correct answer now, thank you