Question

lily is working in a chemistry lab and is trying to extract iron from iron(iii) oxide using carbon. she writes the following equation on the board: 2fe₂o₃ + 3c → 4fe + 3co₂ is this equation balanced or unbalanced?

Explanation:

Step1: Count atoms on each side

On the left - hand side (LHS):

• For Fe: In \(2Fe_2O_3\), the number of Fe atoms is \(2\times2 = 4\).
• For C: In \(3C\), the number of C atoms is \(3\).
• For O: In \(2Fe_2O_3\), the number of O atoms is \(2\times3=6\).

On the right - hand side (RHS):

• For Fe: In \(4Fe\), the number of Fe atoms is \(4\).
• For C: In \(3CO_2\), the number of C atoms is \(3\).
• For O: In \(3CO_2\), the number of O atoms is \(3\times2 = 6\).

Step2: Check balance

Since the number of Fe, C, and O atoms is the same on both sides of the equation \(2Fe_2O_3+3C
ightarrow4Fe + 3CO_2\).

Answer:

balanced