Step-by-step explanation:
We have to predict the products and balance the following equation.
FeCl₃ + NaOH ---> ?
This is a double replacement reaction, both reactants will exchange their ions. We can predict the products using the charges of the ions.
The products of the reaction will be Fe(OH)₃ and NaCl. The unbalanced equation will be:
__ FeCl₃ + __ NaOH ----> __ Fe(OH)₃ + __ NaCl
A balanced equation must have the same number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. The first step to balance the equation is to find the number of atoms of each ion to make it easier.
__ FeCl₃ + __ NaOH ----> __ Fe(OH)₃ + __ NaCl
Fe: 1 Fe: 1
Cl: 3 Cl: 1
Na: 1 Na: 1
OH: 1 OH: 3
Fe is already balanced. We have 3 atoms of Cl on the left and just 1 on the right. We have to change the coefficient for NaCl and write a 3 in front of it.
__ FeCl₃ + __ NaOH ----> __ Fe(OH)₃ + 3 NaCl
Fe: 1 Fe: 1
Cl: 3 Cl: 3
Na: 1 Na: 3
OH: 1 OH: 3
We balance the Cl but unbalanced the Na. Now to balance the Na we have to change the coefficient for NaOH and write a 3 there.
__ FeCl₃ + 3 NaOH ----> __ Fe(OH)₃ + 3 NaCl
Fe: 1 Fe: 1
Cl: 3 Cl: 3
Na: 3 Na: 3
OH: 3 OH: 3
Finally the equation is balanced. The balanced equation is:
FeCl₃ + 3 NaOH ----> Fe(OH)₃ + 3 NaCl
Answer: FeCl₃ + 3 NaOH ----> Fe(OH)₃ + 3 NaCl