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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: is3zzz on October 18, 2007, 08:13:49 PM

Title: Writing and Balancing Equation
Post by: is3zzz on October 18, 2007, 08:13:49 PM
Iron metal i


Title: Re: Writing and Balancing Equation
Post by: constant thinker on October 18, 2007, 08:20:03 PM
Quote
My Work and Answer:

Fe + O3 -->  Fe2O3 +  O2 
Balanced:  2 Fe + 5O2 ---> Fe2O3 + 6O2
So My answer is 2,5

You used regular diatomic oxygen when you balanced the equation. When you balance it with ozone you get:

2Fe + 3O3 --> Fe2O3 + 3O2

Simple mistake.
Title: Re: Writing and Balancing Equation
Post by: is3zzz on October 18, 2007, 08:33:47 PM
So are you saying that when I start balancing I must base it on O3?  How would I know when to do this? I thought there was only one way of balancing...
Title: Re: Writing and Balancing Equation
Post by: constant thinker on October 18, 2007, 08:41:47 PM
Fe + O3 -->  Fe2O3 +  O2 is correct for a reaction equation, you are just missing the coefficients. You balance this equation.

The information you gave states that you are reacting elemental iron (Fe) with ozone (O3), not regular diatomic oxygen (O2). Therefore your reactants are Fe and O3. The info about the products are that you are producing Fe2O6 and O2. That is how I can tell that you need to use O3 on the reactant side.

Do you understand now?
Title: Re: Writing and Balancing Equation
Post by: is3zzz on October 18, 2007, 08:55:22 PM
This is great info.   Thank you for your explanation.  :)
Title: Re: Writing and Balancing Equation
Post by: constant thinker on October 18, 2007, 08:58:46 PM
No problem. I enjoy helping people, especially people who try things first themselves.  :)
Title: Re: Writing and Balancing Equation
Post by: Borek on October 19, 2007, 02:48:22 AM
is3zzz: please don't delete information from your initial posts once the question was solved. It makes following discussion later impossible.