Question

Two partners were trying to solve the equation. Penny said that the equation is balanced because there is only 1 Fe on both sides of the equation, but Alex disagrees. Who is correct and why? Write the CER to explain your answer. Claim: Evidence: Reasoning.

Answer 1

Alex is correct. The equation 2 Al + Fe₂O3 → 2 Fe + Al₂O3 is not balanced because the number of iron (Fe) atoms on each side of the equation is not the same. It needs to be balanced by adjusting the coefficients.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this case, Alex is correct. The equation 2 Al + Fe₂O3 → 2 Fe + Al₂O3 is not balanced because the number of iron (Fe) atoms on each side of the equation is not the same. There are 2 Fe atoms on the left side and only 1 Fe atom on the right side. So, the equation needs to be balanced to ensure that the number of each type of atom is the same on both sides.

To balance the equation, we need to adjust the coefficients in front of the formulas. In this case, we need to put a coefficient of 2 in front of Fe₂O3 to have 2 Fe atoms on both sides. The balanced equation would be:

2 Al + 2 Fe₂O3 → 2 Fe + Al₂O3

Now, there are 2 Fe atoms on both sides of the equation, so it is balanced.

Answer 2

Alex is correct. The equation's balance is not solely determined by the count of individual elements on both sides. Other coefficients must be considered to ensure a balanced chemical equation.

Step-by-step explanation:

In chemical equations, balancing requires the conservation of both atoms and mass. Penny's argument focuses solely on the count of Fe (iron) atoms on both sides. However, a balanced equation needs equal numbers of each type of atom and the same total mass on both sides. Let's consider the equation:

Fe + O₂ → Fe₂O₃

There's one Fe atom on each side, but when accounting for oxygen, the equation is unbalanced. On the left side, there are two oxygen atoms (from O₂), while the right side has three (from Fe₂O₃). This disparity signifies an imbalance in the equation's elemental composition.

Balancing this equation involves adjusting coefficients to equalize the number of atoms on both sides. By adding a coefficient of 3 before Fe on the left side:

3Fe + O₂→ Fe₂O₃

Now, there are three Fe atoms on both sides and six oxygen atoms (from 3O₂) on the left, which balances with six oxygen atoms on the right (from Fe₂O₃). This alteration ensures both the conservation of Fe and the overall balance of atoms in the equation.

Therefore, Alex's disagreement with Penny is justified. A balanced chemical equation involves equalizing the number of atoms of each element on both sides by adjusting coefficients, not merely counting individual atoms of one element.