Question

1. when the equation ▲fe₂o₃ + ▲h₂ → fe + h₂o is balanced using whole - number coefficients, he has a coefficient of

a. 1
b. 6
c. 3
d. 2

Explanation:

Step1: Identify the reaction

The reaction is the reduction of iron(III) oxide by hydrogen: $\ce{Fe2O3 + H2 -> Fe + H2O}$.

Step2: Balance Fe atoms

There are 2 Fe atoms in $\ce{Fe2O3}$, so we put a coefficient of 2 in front of $\ce{Fe}$: $\ce{Fe2O3 + H2 -> 2Fe + H2O}$.

Step3: Balance O atoms

There are 3 O atoms in $\ce{Fe2O3}$, so we put a coefficient of 3 in front of $\ce{H2O}$ to balance O: $\ce{Fe2O3 + H2 -> 2Fe + 3H2O}$.

Step4: Balance H atoms

Now, there are 6 H atoms in $3\ce{H2O}$, so we put a coefficient of 3 in front of $\ce{H2}$ to balance H: $\ce{Fe2O3 + 3H2 -> 2Fe + 3H2O}$.

Looking at the coefficient of $\ce{H2}$, it is 3. But wait, the options are A. 1, B. 6, C. 3, D. 2. Wait, maybe the original equation was written with some blanks. Wait, the user's image shows the equation as $\ce{Fe2O3 + H2 -> Fe + H2O}$ (with blanks for coefficients). Wait, maybe the question is about the coefficient of $\ce{H2}$ when the equation is balanced. From the balancing above, the coefficient of $\ce{H2}$ is 3. So the correct option should be C. 3.

Answer:

C. 3