Question

How do you balance and translate this reaction?
\begin{align*}
Fe(s)+O_{2}(g)\rightarrow Fe_{2}O_{3}(s)
\end{align*}

Answer 1

Hint: A balanced equation is dependent on the law of conservation of mass. The number of each atom on either side of the equation will remain the same.

Complete step by step answer:
- The given reaction is the oxidation of iron in presence of air. The product of the reaction is iron oxide.
- To balance the equation, we will follow the following steps
The number of atoms on both the sides of the arrow should be the same in order to obtain a balanced equation.
The law of conservation of mass on either side has to be satisfied with every element.
$Fe(s)+O_{2}(g)\rightarrow Fe_{2}O_{3}(s)$
The total number of atoms on the left side is: Fe=1, O=2, and on the right side is: Fe=2, O=3
Now we will balance oxygen molecule
LHS: O=3x2=6
Since there are now 6 atoms on the left side, there must be 6 oxygen atoms on the right side.
$Fe+3O_{2}\rightarrow Fe_{2}O_{3}$
As there is one big molecule on RHS, so the coefficient used to balance oxygen atoms needs to be applied to the bonded iron atom.
$Fe+3O_{2}\rightarrow 2Fe_{2}O_{3}$
LHS: Fe=1, O=3x2=6
RHS: Fe=2x2=4, O=3x2=6
Now, we will balance the rest of the equation
$4Fe+3O_{2}\rightarrow 2Fe_{2}O_{3}$
LHS: Fe=1x4=4, O=3x2=6
RHS: Fe=2x2=4, O=3x2=6
Therefore, the equation is now balanced.
The translation of this reaction in words can be written as iron III combining with oxygen gas to form iron III oxide.

Note: The ratios of the components of reactants and products are multiplied by integral numbers called as reaction coefficients. The coefficient must balance the number of atoms on each side. The stoichiometric coefficients are assigned as a suffix to each atom.