Question

can anyone explain why Iron with steam gives 3Fe (s) + 4H2O (g) → Fe3O4 (s) + 4H2 (g) and not 3Fe (s) + 4H2O (g) → Fe2O3 (s) + 4H2 (g)

Answer 1

iron Don't React with cold water but it reacts with hot water or steam therefore it forms Fe3O4

We can also write Fe3O4 as FeO.Fe2O3 as it is magnetic oxide.