Balance Equation
Fe +O2 → Fe2O3
Answers
Explanation:
Step 1: Tally the number of atoms based on subscript.
F
e
+
O
2
→
F
e
2
O
3
(unbalanced)
left side: Fe = 1; O = 2
right side: Fe = 2; O = 3
Step 2: Start balancing the simple molecules first, in this case the
O
2
F
e
+
3
O
2
→
F
e
2
O
3
left side: Fe = 1; O = 2 x
3
= 6
right side: Fe = 2; O = 3
Since there are now 6
O
atoms on the left, there must also be 6
O
atoms on the right. Notice that the right hand is one big molecule so whatever coefficient you would use to balance the
O
atoms, you would also need to apply to the bonded
F
e
atom.
F
e
+
3
O
2
→
2
F
e
2
O
3
left side: Fe = 1; O = 2 x 3 = 6
right side: Fe = 2 x
2
= 4; O = 3 x
2
= 6
Step 3: Now balance the rest of the equation.
4
F
e
+
3
O
2
→
2
F
e
2
O
3
left side: Fe = 1 x
4
= 4; O = 2 x 3 = 6
right side: Fe = 2 x 2 = 4; O = 3 x 2 = 6
The equation is now balanced.
Answer: