Question

write a balanced chemical equation based on the following description: iron metal reacts with oxygen gas to produce solid iron(iii) oxide fe(s) + o₂(g) →

Explanation:

Step1: Write the unbalanced equation

The chemical formula for iron(III) oxide is \(Fe_2O_3\). So the un - balanced equation is \(Fe(s)+O_2(g)\to Fe_2O_3(s)\)

Step2: Balance the oxygen atoms

There are 2 oxygen atoms in \(O_2\) and 3 oxygen atoms in \(Fe_2O_3\). The least common multiple of 2 and 3 is 6. So we put a 3 in front of \(O_2\) and a 2 in front of \(Fe_2O_3\): \(Fe(s)+3O_2(g)\to 2Fe_2O_3(s)\)

Step3: Balance the iron atoms

After balancing oxygen, there are 4 iron atoms on the right - hand side (from \(2Fe_2O_3\)). So we put a 4 in front of \(Fe\) on the left - hand side: \(4Fe(s)+3O_2(g)\to 2Fe_2O_3(s)\)

Answer:

\(4Fe(s)+3O_2(g)\to 2Fe_2O_3(s)\)