Alright, so I'm doing a lab report, and I have this word equation:
iron (III) nitrate + sodium hydroxide --> iron (III) hydroxide + sodium nitrate
I would like to turn this into a balanced equation, and I have:
Fe(NO3)3(l) + 3NaOH(l) --> Fe(OH)3(s) +3NaNO3(l)
(the letters are for the state of matter, and the '3's before NaOH and before NaNO3 are coefficients)
Is my balanced equation correct?
yes, balanced.
Yes, it is balanced; however, I think you may want to show the l as (aq). I presume you are mixing solutions since Fe(NO3)3 and NaOH are solids at room temperature. Dissolving in water they are solutions and that is shown by Fe(NO3)3(aq) and NaOH(aq). On the right, Fe(OH)3(s) and NaNO3(aq)
Thank you so much! I appreciate it :)
To determine if your balanced equation is correct, let's go through the process of balancing it together.
First, let's count the number of atoms on each side of the equation:
On the left side (reactants):
Fe: 1 atom
N: 3 atoms
O: 9 atoms
Na: 3 atoms
H: 3 atoms
On the right side (products):
Fe: 1 atom
O: 3 atoms
H: 3 atoms
Na: 3 atoms
N: 3 atoms
The number of atoms for each element should be the same on both sides of the equation in a balanced equation.
Let's start by balancing the Fe (iron) atoms. There is already 1 Fe atom on both sides, so the Fe is balanced.
Next, let's check the N (nitrogen) atoms. There are 3 N atoms on the left side (from Fe(NO3)3) and 3 N atoms on the right side (from NaNO3), so the N is balanced.
Now, let's focus on balancing the O (oxygen) atoms. On the left side, there are 9 O atoms (3 from Fe(NO3)3 and 6 from NaOH). On the right side, there are only 3 O atoms (from Fe(OH)3). To balance the oxygens, we can add a coefficient of 3 in front of Fe(OH)3, giving us:
Fe(NO3)3(l) + 3NaOH(l) --> 3Fe(OH)3(s) + 3NaNO3(l)
Finally, let's balance the Na (sodium) atoms. On the left side, there are 3 Na atoms (from NaOH), and on the right side, there are 3 Na atoms (from NaNO3). The Na is already balanced.
After balancing all the elements, we have:
Fe(NO3)3(l) + 3NaOH(l) --> 3Fe(OH)3(s) + 3NaNO3(l)
So, your balanced equation is correct! Well done!