Aqueous iron (III) chloride reacts with sodium hydroxide, producing solid iron (III) hydroxide and sodium chloride
Fe Cl3 + 3NaOH ---> Fe(OH)3 + 3 NaCl
and...is there a question here?
To balance the chemical equation for the reaction between aqueous iron (III) chloride and sodium hydroxide, we need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation is the same. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Write the chemical equation:
FeCl3 (aq) + NaOH (aq) → Fe(OH)3 (s) + NaCl (aq)
Step 2: Determine the number of each element on both sides of the equation.
On the reactant side (left side):
- Fe: 1 atom
- Cl: 3 atoms
- Na: 1 atom
- O: 1 atom
- H: 1 atom
On the product side (right side):
- Fe: 1 atom
- Cl: 1 atom
- Na: 1 atom
- O: 3 atoms
- H: 3 atoms
Step 3: Balance the elements one at a time.
Start with balancing the metal atoms (Fe):
FeCl3 (aq) + 3NaOH (aq) → Fe(OH)3 (s) + NaCl (aq)
Next, balance the chloride ions (Cl):
FeCl3 (aq) + 3NaOH (aq) → Fe(OH)3 (s) + 3NaCl (aq)
Finally, balance the hydroxide ions (OH) and sodium ions (Na):
FeCl3 (aq) + 3NaOH (aq) → Fe(OH)3 (s) + 3NaCl (aq)
The final balanced chemical equation is:
FeCl3 (aq) + 3NaOH (aq) → Fe(OH)3 (s) + 3NaCl (aq)
Note: The state symbols (aq for aqueous and s for solid) are used to indicate the physical state of each substance. It is important to include them in the balanced equation.
The balanced chemical equation for the reaction is:
FeCl3 + 3 NaOH → Fe(OH)3 + 3 NaCl
To determine the products of the reaction and balance the equation, you need to know the charges of the ions involved and their relative ratios. Here's how you can do it step by step:
1. Identify the reactants: The reactants are aqueous iron (III) chloride (FeCl3) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
2. Write the chemical formulas of the reactants: FeCl3 and NaOH.
3. Determine the charges of each ion: Iron(III) has a charge of +3 (Fe3+), chloride has a charge of -1 (Cl-), sodium has a charge of +1 (Na+), and hydroxide has a charge of -1 (OH-).
4. Write down the chemical formulas of the product compounds: The products are solid iron(III) hydroxide (Fe(OH)3) and sodium chloride (NaCl).
5. Balance the equation by ensuring the number of each type of atom is the same on both sides: The equation is already balanced.
Now you have the balanced equation for the reaction:
FeCl3 + 3 NaOH → Fe(OH)3 + 3 NaCl
This equation represents the reaction of aqueous iron(III) chloride with sodium hydroxide to produce solid iron(III) hydroxide and sodium chloride.