Question

What is the coefficient in front of the Fe₂O₃ in the following reaction if properly balanced?

Fe(OH)₃ → Fe₂O₃ + H₂O

a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4

Answer 1

The coefficient in front of Fe2O3 in the balanced reaction Fe(OH)3 → Fe2O3 + H2O is 1, as every two molecules of Fe(OH)3 yield one molecule of Fe2O3 and three molecules of water.

Step-by-step explanation:

The coefficient in front of Fe₂O₃ in the balanced reaction Fe(OH)₃ → Fe₂O₃ + H₂O is as follows:

1. Firstly, balance the number of Fe atoms. Since we have Fe₂O₃ on the product side and the subscript indicates there are two Fe atoms, we need two Fe(OH)₃ on the reactant side to balance the Fe atoms.
2. After balancing Fe, look at the O and H atoms. Each Fe(OH)₃ has 3 O atoms and 3 H atoms, so 2 Fe(OH)₃ will give us 6 O atoms and 6 H atoms total on the reactant side.
3. We now need to balance the O atoms on the products side. Fe₂O₃ has 3 O atoms, and we need a total of 6 O atoms to balance, so we have an implied coefficient of 1 for Fe₂O₃, which balances the O atoms when combined with the water molecules.
4. Finally, the H atoms from Fe(OH)₃ will form water on the product side, and since we have 6 H atoms from the 2 molecules of Fe(OH)₃, we end up with 3 H₂O molecules, which results in the correct balance of H atoms.

The balanced equation will be: 2 Fe(OH)₃ → 1 Fe₂O₃ + 3 H₂O. Thus, the correct coefficient for Fe₂O₃ is option a) 1.