Balance the equation CO + Fe2O3 → Fe + CO2
Understand the Problem
The question is asking us to balance the chemical equation involving carbon monoxide (CO), iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3), iron (Fe), and carbon dioxide (CO2). The goal is to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.
Answer
$$ 3\text{CO} + \text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 \rightarrow 2\text{Fe} + 3\text{CO}_2 $$
Answer for screen readers
$$ 3\text{CO} + \text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 \rightarrow 2\text{Fe} + 3\text{CO}_2 $$
Steps to Solve
- Write the unbalanced equation
Start by writing down the chemical equation with reactants and products: $$ \text{CO} + \text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 \rightarrow \text{Fe} + \text{CO}_2 $$
- Count the number of atoms for each element
Count the number of atoms for each element on both sides of the equation:
-
Left side:
- C: 1 (from CO)
- O: 4 (1 from CO + 3 from Fe₂O₃)
- Fe: 2 (from Fe₂O₃)
-
Right side:
- C: 1 (from CO₂)
- O: 2 (from CO₂)
- Fe: 1 (from Fe)
- Balance the iron (Fe) atoms
Since there are 2 iron atoms on the left and only 1 on the right, balance Fe by placing a coefficient of 2 in front of Fe: $$ \text{CO} + \text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 \rightarrow 2\text{Fe} + \text{CO}_2 $$
- Update the count of atoms again
Now recount the atoms:
-
Left side:
- C: 1
- O: 4
- Fe: 2
-
Right side:
- C: 1
- O: 3 (2 from CO₂ + 1 from the produced CO)
- Fe: 2
- Balance the oxygen (O) atoms
To balance oxygen, we need 4 on the right side. Since there are 2 from CO₂, we can adjust by placing a coefficient of 3 in front of CO to give: $$ 3\text{CO} + \text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 \rightarrow 2\text{Fe} + 3\text{CO}_2 $$
- Final count of atoms
Re-check the atom counts:
-
Left side:
- C: 3
- O: 6 (3 from CO + 3 from Fe₂O₃)
- Fe: 2
-
Right side:
- C: 3 (from 3 CO₂)
- O: 6 (from 3 CO₂)
- Fe: 2
The atoms are now balanced.
$$ 3\text{CO} + \text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 \rightarrow 2\text{Fe} + 3\text{CO}_2 $$
More Information
The balanced equation shows that three molecules of carbon monoxide react with one molecule of iron(III) oxide to produce two iron atoms and three molecules of carbon dioxide. Balancing chemical equations is fundamental in chemistry to adhere to the law of conservation of mass.
Tips
- Forgetting to count all elements on both sides before adjusting coefficients. Always double-check atom counts.
- Only balancing one type of atom and neglecting others, which can lead to an unbalanced equation.
