Chemical Equation Chemistry Example 3

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Example 3

medium
Write a balanced chemical equation with state symbols for the reaction of solid iron with oxygen gas to form solid iron(III) oxide.

Solution

  1. 1
    Write the unbalanced equation with state symbols: Fe(s)+O2(g)→Fe2O3(s)\text{Fe(s)} + \text{O}_2\text{(g)} \rightarrow \text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3\text{(s)}.
  2. 2
    Balance: Fe needs 4 on the left (for 2 Fe2O3\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3), O needs 6 atoms = 3O23\text{O}_2. Final: 4Fe(s)+3O2(g)→2Fe2O3(s)4\text{Fe(s)} + 3\text{O}_2\text{(g)} \rightarrow 2\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3\text{(s)}.

Answer

4Fe(s)+3O2(g)→2Fe2O3(s)4\text{Fe(s)} + 3\text{O}_2\text{(g)} \rightarrow 2\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3\text{(s)}
Writing balanced equations with state symbols requires both balancing atoms and knowing the physical state of each substance under the reaction conditions.

About Chemical Equation

A written representation of a chemical reaction using chemical formulas for reactants and products, coefficients to indicate mole ratios, state symbols to show physical states.

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More Chemical Equation Examples

Example 1 easy

What information does a balanced chemical equation convey? Explain using [formula] as an example.

Example 2 medium

Interpret the following chemical equation including state symbols: [formula]. What does each state s

Example 4 hard

A student writes the following unbalanced equation for the reaction of aluminum with sulfuric acid:

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