Final answer:
The balanced chemical equation can be written as 4 Fe + 3 O₂ -> 2 Fe₂O₃. The correct coefficient for the Oxygen (O₂) is 3, ensuring the total number of Oxygen atoms is equal on both sides.
Step-by-step explanation:
The balanced chemical equation you provided appears to be missing a coefficient for Oxygen (O₂). The chemical equation should represent the same number of each type of atom on both sides of the reaction.
According to the stoichiometry of the balanced chemical equation, 4 atoms of Iron (Fe) reacts with Oxygen (O₂) to form 2 formula units of iron(III) oxide (Fe₂O₃).
The correct coefficient for O₂ is determined by ensuring that the total number of Oxygen atoms on the reactant side equals the number on the product side. In the product, we have 2 units of Fe₂O₃, each containing 3 Oxygen atoms, totaling 6 Oxygen atoms. Therefore, we need enough O₂ molecules to provide these 6 Oxygen atoms. As each O₂ provides two Oxygen atoms, dividing the total needed (6) by the number of Oxygens per molecule (2) gives us 3.
Thus, the coefficient that goes in front of O₂ is Option 2: 3. The balanced chemical equation should read: 4 Fe + 3 O₂ → 2 Fe₂O₃.