Question

Aluminum metal reacts with oxygen gas in a combination reaction that forms a product that coat the metal preventing it from further oxidation. Which of the following is the correct balanced equation for the reaction?

a. Al(s) + 302(g) → 2903(s).
b. 2Al(s) + O2(g) → 2A10(s).
c. AI(s) + O2(g) → AIO (s).
d. 4Al(s) + 3O2(g) →2Al2O3.
e. 3Al(s) + O2 → Al3O2.

Answer 1

The correct balanced equation for the reaction between aluminum metal and oxygen gas to form aluminum oxide is 4Al(s) + 3O2(g) → 2Al2O3(s), which prevents further oxidation of the aluminum.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct balanced equation for the reaction where aluminum metal reacts with oxygen gas in a combination reaction is:

4Al(s) + 3O2(g) → 2Al2O3(s).

This represents the formation of aluminum oxide, which coats the metal and prevents it from further oxidation. Each aluminum atom has a charge of +3, and each oxygen atom has a charge of -2. To balance the charges and the atoms in the reaction, the smallest whole number ratio that balances aluminum atoms and oxide ions is used, resulting in the formula Al2O3. The balanced stoichiometric coefficients are 4 for aluminum and 3 for oxygen, producing 2 units of aluminum oxide.

Answer 2

d. 4 Al(s) + 3 O₂(g) → 2 Al₂O₃(s)

Step-by-step explanation:

Aluminum metal reacts with oxygen gas in a combination reaction that forms a product that coats the metal preventing it from further oxidation: aluminum oxide. Aluminum is a cation with charge 3+ (Al³⁻) and oxide is an anion with charge 2- (O²⁻). Thus, the neutral compound aluminum oxide has the chemical formula Al₂O₃. The unbalanced chemical equation is:

Al(s) + O₂(g) → Al₂O₃(s)

We can balance using the trial and error method. First, we will balance O atoms by multiplying Al₂O₃ by 2 and O₂ by 3.

Al(s) + 3 O₂(g) → 2 Al₂O₃(s)

Finally, we get the balanced equation by multiplying Al by 4.

4 Al(s) + 3 O₂(g) → 2 Al₂O₃(s)