Chapter 9.1, Problem 4PP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The chemical equation for the reaction of iron (III)chloride with sodium hydroxide in water to produce iron (III) hydroxide and sodium chloride needs to be written.

Concept introduction:

Chemical equation is the way of writing chemical reaction taking the help of chemical formulas that represent substances taking part in the reaction. The chemical equation must be balanced.

Answer to Problem 4PP

The chemical equation is,

${\text{FeCl}}_{\text{3}}\left(aq\right)+3\text{NaOH}\left(aq\right)\to \text{Fe}{\left(\text{OH}\right)}_{\text{3}}\left(aq\right)+3\text{NaCl}\left(aq\right)$

Explanation of Solution

To write the chemical reaction, the reactant and product of the reaction must be known. The reactants in the given reaction are iron (III) chloride, water and sodium hydroxide and products of the reaction are iron (III) hydroxide and sodium chloride.

The chemical formula of iron (III) chloride is ${\text{FeCl}}_{\text{3}}$, water is ${\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}$, sodium hydroxide is $\text{NaOH}$, iron (III) hydroxide is $\text{Fe}{\left(\text{OH}\right)}_{\text{3}}$ and sodium chloride is $\text{NaCl}$.

So, the chemical equation is,

${\text{FeCl}}_{\text{3}}\left(aq\right)+\text{NaOH}\left(aq\right)\to \text{Fe}{\left(\text{OH}\right)}_{\text{3}}\left(aq\right)+\text{NaCl}\left(aq\right)$

But the above equation is not balanced. To balance the equation, give coefficient 3 to NaOH and NaCl. Thus, the balanced chemical equation is as follows:

${\text{FeCl}}_{\text{3}}+3\text{NaOH}\to \text{Fe}{\left(\text{OH}\right)}_{\text{3}}+3\text{NaCl}$

Conclusion

The chemical equation for a reaction can be written with the help of chemical formulas of known products and reactants.