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Select the correct answer.

Iron reacts with atmospheric oxygen to form iron oxide or ferric oxide. Look at the chemical equation for this reaction:

[tex]
Fe + O_2 \rightarrow Fe_2O_3
[/tex]

This equation is unbalanced. Which of the following is the correct balanced equation for this reaction?

A. [tex]4Fe + 3O_2 \rightarrow 2Fe_2O_3[/tex]

B. [tex]3Fe + 4O_2 \rightarrow 2Fe_2O_3[/tex]

C. [tex]2Fe + 4O_2 \rightarrow 3Fe_2O_3[/tex]

D. [tex]3Fe + 3O_2 \rightarrow 4Fe_2O_3[/tex]

E. [tex]4Fe + 4O_2 \rightarrow 3Fe_2O_3[/tex]



Answer :

GinnyAnswer
To determine the balanced equation for the reaction where iron (Fe) reacts with oxygen (O₂) to form iron oxide (Fe₂O₃), follow these steps:

1. Write the unbalanced equation:
[tex]\[ Fe + O_2 \rightarrow Fe_2O_3 \][/tex]

2. Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation:
- Left side:
- Fe: 1
- O₂: 2 (so, O: 2)
- Right side:
- Fe: 2
- O: 3

3. Balance the number of Fe atoms:
- To balance Fe, we need 4 Fe atoms on the left because 2 Fe atoms are present in 1 molecule of Fe₂O₃. You adjust it by placing a coefficient of 4 in front of Fe on the left side of the equation:
[tex]\[ 4 Fe + O_2 \rightarrow 2 Fe_2O_3 \][/tex]
- Now, count the atoms again:
- Left side:
- Fe: 4
- O₂: 2 (so, O: 2)
- Right side:
- Fe: 4 (in 2 Fe₂O₃)
- O: 6 (in 2 Fe₂O₃)

4. Balance the number of O atoms:
- To balance O, we need 3 molecules of O₂ on the left because you have 6 O atoms in 2 Fe₂O₃. You adjust it by placing a coefficient of 3 in front of O₂:
[tex]\[ 4 Fe + 3 O_2 \rightarrow 2 Fe_2O_3 \][/tex]
- Now, count the atoms again:
- Left side:
- Fe: 4
- O: 6 (in 3 O₂ molecules)
- Right side:
- Fe: 4 (in 2 Fe₂O₃ molecules)
- O: 6 (in 2 Fe₂O₃ molecules)

Now the equation is balanced, with 4 Fe atoms and 6 O atoms on both sides.

Therefore, the correct balanced equation is:
[tex]\[ 4 Fe + 3 O_2 \rightarrow 2 Fe_2O_3 \][/tex]

This corresponds to choice A.

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