Question

Iron reacts with atmospheric oxygen to form iron oxide or ferric oxide. Look at the chemical equation for this reaction: Fe + O2 → Fe2O3 This equation is unbalanced. Which of the following is the correct balanced equation for this reaction?

4Fe + 3O2 → 2Fe2O3
3Fe + 4O2 → 2Fe2O3
2Fe + 4O2 → 3Fe2O3
3Fe + 3O2 → 4Fe2O3
4Fe + 4O2 → 3Fe2O3

Answer 1

Answer: The correct balanced equation is 4Fe + 3O2 → 2Fe2O3

Step-by-step explanation:

A chemical equation is said to be a balanced chemical equation when the number of atoms and the total charge is same on reactants and products of the reaction i.e on both sides of the reaction.

Whereas, an equation is imbalanced if it does not have equal number of atoms and charge on both the sides.

The given equation 4Fe + 3O2 → 2Fe2O3 is balanced.

This is because the number of iron (Fe) and oxygen atoms are equal on both the sides, which are four and six respectively.

Answer 2

The right answer is 4 Fe + 3O2 → 2 Fe2O3.

Triferium tetroxide is a chemical compound of formula Fe3O4. It is an iron oxide present in the natural environment in the form of magnetite, a crystallized black mineral; in the laboratory, it is generally in the form of a black powder.