What are the coefficients required to balance the following equation: Fe + Br2 –> FeBr2?
The correct answer and explanation is:
The balanced equation for the reaction is:
Fe + Br₂ → FeBr₂
The coefficients required to balance this equation are as follows:
1 Fe + 1 Br₂ → 1 FeBr₂
Explanation:
To balance this chemical equation, follow these steps:
- Identify the elements: On the left-hand side (reactants), we have iron (Fe) and bromine (Br₂). On the right-hand side (products), we have iron (Fe) and iron(II) bromide (FeBr₂).
- Balance the iron (Fe) atoms: There is one Fe atom on the left side of the equation and one Fe atom on the right side in FeBr₂. This part is already balanced.
- Balance the bromine (Br) atoms: On the left side, bromine appears as Br₂ (meaning two Br atoms), while on the right side, there are two Br atoms in FeBr₂. The number of bromine atoms is also balanced.
- Check if the equation is balanced: After balancing Fe and Br, check all elements to ensure that the number of atoms on both sides of the equation is the same. Here, 1 Fe on both sides and 2 Br atoms on both sides confirms the equation is balanced.
- Final coefficients: The coefficients are 1 for Fe, 1 for Br₂, and 1 for FeBr₂. This means one atom of iron reacts with one molecule of bromine to produce one molecule of iron(II) bromide.
In summary, the balanced equation is:
1 Fe + 1 Br₂ → 1 FeBr₂
This balancing ensures that the law of conservation of mass is satisfied, meaning the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation.