Chapter 19.2, Problem 17R

To determine

To write: the balance equation by using the smallest coefficient possible.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The chemical reaction is a process in which the materials are converted to one or more separate compounds, the reactants. The substances are either compounds or chemical elements. In Balanced equations, coefficient in reactant and product are same in number.

Fe reacts with water which result iron oxide and hydrogen. The given balanced reaction is,

  $\text{9Fe}\left(\text{s}\right){\text{+12H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\left(\text{l}\right)\to {\text{3Fe}}_{\text{3}}{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}\left(\text{s}\right){\text{+12H}}_{\text{2}}\left(\text{g}\right)$

To get the balance the reaction with smallest coefficient, divide the above reaction by 3,

  $\text{3Fe}\left(\text{s}\right){\text{+4H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\left(\text{l}\right)\to {\text{Fe}}_{\text{3}}{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}\left(\text{s}\right){\text{+4H}}_{\text{2}}\left(\text{g}\right)$

Conclusion:

Hence, the required balance equation is, $\text{3Fe}\left(\text{s}\right){\text{+4H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\left(\text{l}\right)\to {\text{Fe}}_{\text{3}}{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}\left(\text{s}\right){\text{+4H}}_{\text{2}}\left(\text{g}\right)$ .