How do you balance this equation?
Fe2O3+C=Fe+CO2
To balance the equation Fe2O3 + C = Fe + CO2, you need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. Here's a step-by-step guide to balance the equation:
1. Start with the elements that appear in more than one compound on each side. In this equation, we have iron (Fe) and carbon (C).
2. Count the number of atoms on each side of the equation for each element. On the left side, we have 2 Fe atoms and 3 O atoms, while on the right side we have only 1 Fe atom and 1 C atom.
3. Balance the equation by adding coefficients in front of the compounds or elements as needed. Start with the elements that will be most difficult to balance.
Let's balance the equation step by step:
Fe2O3 + C = Fe + CO2
Balance the carbon (C):
On the left side, we have 1 C atom, and on the right side, there is 1 C atom in the CO2 compound. So, carbon is already balanced.
Now, let's balance the oxygen (O):
On the left side, we have 3 O atoms in Fe2O3, and there is only 2 O atoms in CO2 on the right side. To balance the oxygen, we need to multiply the CO2 compound by 3:
Fe2O3 + C = Fe + 3CO2
Now, count the iron (Fe) atoms:
On the left side, we have 2 Fe atoms, and on the right side, there is only 1 Fe atom. To balance the iron, we need to multiply the Fe compound on the right side by 2:
Fe2O3 + C = 2Fe + 3CO2
Now, recheck the equation:
On the left-hand side, we have 2 Fe atoms, 3 O atoms, and 1 C atom. On the right-hand side, we have 2 Fe atoms, 3 C atoms, and 6 O atoms. So, the equation is now balanced.
The balanced equation is:
Fe2O3 + C = 2Fe + 3CO2