Select the correct answer.
Which is the next logical step in balancing the given equation?
[tex]3 CO_{(g)}+Fe_2 O_{3(s)} \rightarrow Fe_{(s)}+3 CO_{2(g)}[/tex]
A. Place the coefficient 2 in front of iron(III) oxide.
B. Leave it alone, as it is already balanced.
C. Place the coefficient 2 in front of elemental fron.
D. Replace the coefficient 3 in carkh monoxide with 6.
Answer (1)
Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.
Identify that the iron atoms are not balanced.
Place the coefficient 2 in front of elemental iron on the right side to balance the equation.
The next logical step is to place the coefficient 2 in front of elemental iron: C .
Explanation
Analyzing the Equation Let's analyze the given chemical equation: 3 C O ( g ) + F e 2 O 3 ( s ) i g h t ha r p oo n u pF e ( s ) + 3 C O 2 ( g ) We need to check if the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.
Counting Atoms On the left side, we have:
3 Carbon (C) atoms
2 Iron (Fe) atoms
6 Oxygen (O) atoms (3 from CO and 3 from F e 2 O 3 )
On the right side, we have:
3 Carbon (C) atoms
1 Iron (Fe) atom
6 Oxygen (O) atoms (3 * 2 from C O 2 )
Identifying Imbalance We can see that the number of carbon and oxygen atoms are balanced. However, the number of iron atoms is not balanced. There are 2 iron atoms on the left side and only 1 iron atom on the right side.
Balancing Iron Atoms To balance the iron atoms, we need to place a coefficient of 2 in front of the elemental iron (Fe) on the right side of the equation. This will give us 2 iron atoms on both sides. The balanced equation will be: 3 C O ( g ) + F e 2 O 3 ( s ) i g h t ha r p oo n u p 2 F e ( s ) + 3 C O 2 ( g )
Conclusion Therefore, the next logical step in balancing the given equation is to place the coefficient 2 in front of elemental iron.
Examples
Balancing chemical equations is crucial in many real-world applications, such as in the design of industrial processes, environmental protection, and even in cooking. For example, in the Haber-Bosch process, nitrogen and hydrogen react to form ammonia, a key ingredient in fertilizers. Balancing the equation ensures that the correct amounts of reactants are used to maximize the yield of ammonia, making the process economically viable. Similarly, in environmental science, balancing equations helps in understanding and mitigating pollution. For instance, in the combustion of fossil fuels, a balanced equation can help determine the amount of carbon dioxide released, which is essential for climate change studies. Even in cooking, balancing equations can be applied to ensure the right proportions of ingredients are used in a chemical reaction, such as baking a cake, to achieve the desired outcome.
