Question

Here's a precise problem for the student to solve in Balancing Chemical Equations:Balance the chemical equation for the reaction between iron (III) oxide and carbon monoxide to produce iron and carbon dioxide gas:Fe2O3(s) + CO(g) → Fe(s) + CO2(g)

Answer 1

To balance the chemical equation for the reaction between iron  III  oxide and carbon monoxide to produce iron and carbon dioxide gas, follow these steps:1. Identify the number of atoms for each element on both sides of the equation.   Left side: Fe = 2, O = 3, C = 1   Right side: Fe = 1, O = 2, C = 12. Balance the elements one by one, starting with the element that appears least frequently. In this case, start with iron  Fe .   Multiply the right side by 2 to balance the iron atoms:   Fe2O3 s  + CO g   2Fe s  + CO2 g 3. Now, check the oxygen atoms. There are 3 oxygen atoms on the left side and 2 on the right side. To balance the oxygen atoms, multiply the CO molecule on the left side by 3:   Fe2O3 s  + 3CO g   2Fe s  + CO2 g 4. Check the carbon atoms. There are now 3 carbon atoms on the left side and 1 on the right side. To balance the carbon atoms, multiply the CO2 molecule on the right side by 3:   Fe2O3 s  + 3CO g   2Fe s  + 3CO2 g 5. Verify that the equation is balanced:   Left side: Fe = 2, O = 3, C = 3   Right side: Fe = 2, O = 3, C = 3The balanced chemical equation is:Fe2O3 s  + 3CO g   2Fe s  + 3CO2 g