Question

Balance the Equation for the reaction between iron & oxygen.
Pleasee explain :3

Answer 1

| | Fe + | | O2 = | | Fe2O3

Answer 2

Hi!
This would be more relevant in the chemistry section... But chemistry is very related to physics.

Do you know what the numbers mean?

Answer 3

Their aren't many people in Chemistry :(

Answer 4

There*

Answer 5

Fe\(\color{red}{_2}\)O\(\color{red}{_3}\) Those numbers...

I know.. I saw this and thought maybe I should head there. But my chemistry doesn't go past the basic level... So I don't go there as much!

Answer 6

Those numbers mean... Umm, if I remember......... How many bonds each element has?

Answer 7

No, but at least you're thinking chemistry!

They are the number of that element that appears in the molecule!

So \(\mathrm{Fe_2O_3}\) has 2 Fe (2 iron) and 3 O (3 oxygen).

Answer 8

Ohhh okay, got it!

Answer 9

So whats the next step in solving this?

Answer 10

Well, put the pieces of the puzzle together! Well, I guess find how many pieces of each there are. You almost know the end result, \(\mathrm{?\ Fe_2O_3}\).
So, you have the \(\mathrm{Fe}\) molecule, which is just one \(\mathrm{Fe}\) atom.
And you have the \(\mathrm{O_2}\) element, which is two \(\mathrm{O}\) atoms.

Are you comfortable with algebra?

Answer 11

Lol, algebra is one of the subject that I'm struggling with.

Answer 12

subjects*

Answer 13

Okay... Algebra makes it easier, but you can try to think about it otherwise.

Now, some \(\mathrm{Fe}\) and some \(\mathrm{O_2}\) are going to mix to make some \(\mathrm{Fe_2O_3}\). That's what's going on.

You need at least how many \(\mathrm{Fe}\)?
You need at least how many \(\mathrm{O}\)?

Answer 14

\(\mathrm{O_2}\), I mean.

Answer 15

I think I understand... If the end result is Fe2O3, then a 2 belongs in the | | for Fe and a 1 belongs in the | | for O2 ?

Answer 16

But then you'll have
\(\mathrm{2Fe+1O_2\rightarrow ?Fe_2O_\color{red}{???}}\)
You don't have enough \(\mathrm{0}\)'s for the right side! But we're getting somewhere! What do you think now?

Answer 17

Hmmm.... Explain to me lol because I'm not sure... If I added that one to the O2, why wouldn't there be enough Oxygen on the right side?

Answer 18

Okay, Well one \(\mathrm{O_2}\) is two \(\mathrm{O}\) atoms. And \(\mathrm{Fe_2O_3}\) has three \(\mathrm{O}\) atoms. See the issue?

Answer 19

Okay. Yeah I see.

Answer 20

But adding 2 to the Fe is okay? It was right?

Answer 21

Okay! So let's give another \(\mathrm{O_2}\) to the other side, now.
And we'll see about the \(\mathrm{Fe}\).

\(\mathrm{2Fe+2O_2\rightarrow ?Fe_2O_\color{red}{???}}\)
So...how many \(\mathrm{O}\) atoms do you have on the left side?

Answer 22

4 O atoms?

Answer 23

Right! So if we have four \(\mathrm{O}\) atoms on the left, we have to have four on the right.
If we have \(\mathrm{1Fe_2O_3}\), then we're missing an \(\mathrm{O}\) atom. Soo...
Let's try again. But we'll have to make at least one more \(\mathrm{Fe_2O_3}\) (we already have more than enough oxygen, and it hasn't worked out yet).
So we'll try three \(\mathrm{O}\) atoms.
\(\mathrm{2Fe+3O_2\rightarrow 2Fe_2O_3}?\)
How many \(\mathrm{O}\) are on the right?

Answer 24

I mean left!

Answer 25

Left lol silly me

Answer 26

5 Oxygen on the left

Answer 27

\(\mathrm{3O_2}\) is like \(\mathrm{O_2+O_2+O_2}\). What do you think now?

Answer 28

Ohh when there is number to the left of the element -- and it becomes like to the power ^? Or is it just for this scenario?

Its 6 Oxygen btw!

Answer 29

When it's to the left, it's how many molecules you have. The subscript one (down below) is is how many of that atom are in the molecule.

Answer 30

So yep, 6 oxygen. And on the right?

Answer 31

Ohhh okay! Got it, got it.

Answer 32

You're asking me how many Oxygen are on the right now?

Answer 33

Yup! In this one:
\(\mathrm{2Fe+3O_2\rightarrow 2Fe_2O_3}?\)

Answer 34

(Same one)

Answer 35

1 oxygen.

Answer 36

Well, you have to look at how many molecules with oxygen you have on the right. Then you have to look at how many oxygen molecules each atom has.

Answer 37

\(\mathrm{2Fe_2O_3}\)

Answer 38

How many molecules? And how many atoms in each?

Answer 39

How do I know how many oxygen molecules each atom has?

Sorry for asking so many questions >.<

Answer 40

Questions are what OpenStudy is for, haha! :)