Question

What Went Wrong – Balancing Chemical Equations

Your friend and classmate made a mistake when balancing the following chemical equation.



Original unbalanced equation:





Fe + H20 -> Fe3O4 + H2





Your classmate’s incorrectly balanced equation:



Fe3 + 4H2O -> Fe3O + 4H2



Analyze where your friend went wrong when trying to balance the equation. Then, instruct him or her on how to balance the equation correctly. Also, show the final balanced equation by inserting an equation at the end of your response.

Answer 1

1-It has to be 3 Fe and not Fe3.
2-The oxygens aren't balanced

Balanced equation:
3Fe+4H2O---->Fe3O4+4H2