Question

which element or elements are unbalanced in this equation? fe₂o₃ + 3co → fe + 3co₂ only the o is unbalanced. fe and o are both unbalanced. c and o are both unbalanced only the fe is unbalanced. question 5 1 pts if the amount of atoms of each type on the left and right sides of a reaction differs, what must be done to balance it? it should be left alone. subscripts are placed in the chemical formulas. coefficients are placed in front of the reactants and/or products. superscripts are placed in the chemical formulas.

Explanation:

First Question

Step1: Count Fe atoms

On the left - hand side (LHS): In \(Fe_2O_3\), the number of Fe atoms is \(2\). On the right - hand side (RHS): In \(Fe\), the number of Fe atoms is \(1\).

Step2: Count O atoms

On the LHS: In \(Fe_2O_3\) there are \(3\) O atoms and in \(3CO\) there are \(3\) O atoms. So total O atoms on LHS \(=3 + 3=6\). On the RHS: In \(3CO_2\) there are \(3\times2 = 6\) O atoms.

Step3: Count C atoms

On the LHS: In \(3CO\) there are \(3\) C atoms. On the RHS: In \(3CO_2\) there are \(3\) C atoms.

Chemical equations are balanced by changing the coefficients (the numbers in front of the chemical formulas). Changing subscripts would change the identity of the substance. For example, \(H_2O\) (water) is different from \(H_2O_2\) (hydrogen peroxide). Superscripts are used for ions (e.g., \(Na^+\)) and have nothing to do with balancing equations. If we leave an unbalanced equation alone, it does not follow the law of conservation of mass.

Answer:

Only the Fe is unbalanced.

Second Question