i have a homework packet that i am struggling with can you please help me my first question is i have to finish the following equation to balance it out my question is 3Fe3O4+blankAl→blankAl2O3+blankFe now i tried and i got 3Fe3O4+2A=2Al2O3+2Fe i don't know if that's right though
No yours is not right. You have 9 Fe on the left and only 2 on the right. You have 2Al on the left and 4 on the right. The oxygen atoms don't balance wither.
Try this.
3Fe3O4 + 8Al ==> 4Al2O3 + 9Fe
I ALWAYS check these things to make sure they are right. Follow me.
9 Fe on left and 9 on right.
12 O on left and 12 on right.
8 Al on left and 8 on right.
Voila! Success.
BTW, it would help in reading your posts if you used proper sentence structure; i.e., caps to begin a sentence and periods to end them.
Lol wow, way to be a grammar nazi DrBob, but also, there is an algebraic method to balancing equations I learned in first year chemistry. I don't remember it, but if youre good in algebra, it would be very useful!
I have seen that algebraic method. I've even used it a few times but by an large it's more trouble than it's worth. I don't like it that much. For these simple equations (the above one is a simple one) it takes less than half a minute. If I used the algebraic method it would take longer than that to even set it up, much less solve the equations.
Apparently, you didn't bother to read the instructions BEFORE you hit that Submit button:
Please proofread your question. Does your question use proper grammar, capitalization, and spelling?
Keep in mind that if your grammar and syntax and spelling are awful, tutors are likely to misread what you're asking or maybe not bother to try to figure it out at all.
I agree with Dr Bob. The algebraic method does not appeal to those who are not consequential, sequential thinkers. The balancing equation method appeals to those who need to see input mass equal output mass. I quit teaching the algebratic method because of it, too many students were lost. Very few are lost in the balancing the elements method as above.
One of the other critisms, reflected above, is that the algebratic method is not heuristic, and is not remembered ..<I don't remember it,k but if you're good in algebra, it would be very useful> When we teach, we want what is taught remembered.
Balancing chemical equations can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, I'm here to help! Let's go step by step to balance the given equation:
3Fe3O4 + blankAl → blankAl2O3 + blankFe
In this equation, we have three different elements: iron (Fe), oxygen (O), and aluminum (Al). To balance the equation, we need to make sure that the same number of each atom is present on both sides of the equation.
Let's start with balancing the iron (Fe). On the left side, we have three iron atoms (3Fe3O4), but on the right side, we only have one iron atom (Fe). To fix this, we can put a coefficient of 3 in front of "Fe" on the right side:
3Fe3O4 + blankAl → blankAl2O3 + 3Fe
Next, let's balance the oxygen (O). On the left side, we have four oxygen atoms per formula unit of Fe3O4. Since we have three Fe3O4 molecules, we have a total of 4 x 3 = 12 oxygen atoms. On the right side, we have three oxygen atoms in Al2O3. To match the number of oxygen atoms on both sides, we can put a coefficient of 4 in front of "Al2O3" on the right side:
3Fe3O4 + blankAl → 4Al2O3 + 3Fe
Now, let's balance the aluminum (Al). On the left side, we have one aluminum atom (Al) while on the right side, we have four aluminum atoms (4Al2O3). By putting a coefficient of 4 in front of "Al" on the left side, we can balance the aluminum:
3Fe3O4 + 4Al → 4Al2O3 + 3Fe
Finally, let's double-check the balance of each atom:
Iron (Fe): 3Fe on both sides
Oxygen (O): 12O on both sides
Aluminum (Al): 4Al on both sides
So, the balanced equation is:
3Fe3O4 + 4Al → 4Al2O3 + 3Fe
Great job trying to balance the equation on your own! It's always a good idea to double-check your work.