Let's analyze the given chemical equation:
[tex]\[
Fe + O_2 \rightarrow Fe_2O_3
\][/tex]
1. Identify the reactants and products:
- Reactants: These are the substances you start with in a chemical reaction. They undergo a chemical change during the reaction. In the given equation, the reactants are on the left side of the arrow. Specifically, they are:
- [tex]\(Fe\)[/tex] (Iron)
- [tex]\(O_2\)[/tex] (Oxygen)
- Products: These are the substances formed as a result of the chemical reaction. They are on the right side of the arrow. In this case, the product is:
- [tex]\(Fe_2O_3\)[/tex] (Iron(III) oxide)
2. Answer the multiple choice question by selecting the reactants from the given options:
- A. [tex]\(Fe\)[/tex] (This is one of the reactants, but not all of them)
- B. [tex]\(O_2\)[/tex] (This is one of the reactants, but not all of them)
- C. [tex]\(Fe\)[/tex] and [tex]\(O_2\)[/tex] (This includes all the reactants in the given equation)
- D. [tex]\(Fe_2O_3\)[/tex] (This is the product, not a reactant)
Hence, the reactants in the given chemical equation are [tex]\(Fe\)[/tex] and [tex]\(O_2\)[/tex].
Therefore, the correct answer is:
[tex]\[
\text{C. } Fe \text{ and } O_2
\][/tex]
