Question

Problem Page Blast furnaces extract pure iron from the iron(III) oxide in iron ore in a two step sequence. In the first step, carbon and oxygen react to form carbon monoxide: (s)(g)(g) In the second step, iron(III) oxide and carbon monoxide react to form iron and carbon dioxide: (s)(g)(s)(g) Write the net chemical equation for the production of iron from carbon, oxygen and iron(III) oxide. Be sure your equation is balanced.

Answer 1

6 C(s) + 3 O₂(g) + 2 Fe₂O₃(s) → 4 Fe(s) + 6 CO₂(g)

Step-by-step explanation:

In the first step, carbon and oxygen react to form carbon monoxide:

2 C(s) + O₂(g) → 2 CO(g)

In the second step, iron(III) oxide and carbon monoxide react to form iron and carbon dioxide:

Fe₂O₃(s) + 3 CO(g) → 2 Fe(s) + 3 CO₂(g)

In the net chemical equation doesn't appear CO, which is an intermediary. To achieve it, we will multiply the first step by 3, the second step by 2, and add them.

6 C(s) + 3 O₂(g) → 6 CO(g)

+

2 Fe₂O₃(s) + 6 CO(g) → 4 Fe(s) + 6 CO₂(g)

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6 C(s) + 3 O₂(g) + 2 Fe₂O₃(s) + 6 CO(g) → 6 CO(g) + 4 Fe(s) + 6 CO₂(g)

6 C(s) + 3 O₂(g) + 2 Fe₂O₃(s) → 4 Fe(s) + 6 CO₂(g)