What are the coefficients, respectively, in front of each species to fully balance the following reaction? __Fe (s) + __Cl₂ (g) → __FeCl₃ (s) A 1,1,1 B 1,2,1 C 2,3,2 D 2,2,2 E 3,3,2
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
ChatGPT said:
To balance the chemical reaction Fe (s) + Cl₂ (g) → FeCl₃ (s), we need to make sure that the number of atoms of each element on the left side (reactants) is equal to the number of atoms of the same elements on the right side (products). Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Identify the number of atoms of each element:
- On the left side:
- Fe: 1 atom (from Fe)
- Cl: 2 atoms (from Cl₂)
- On the right side:
- Fe: 1 atom (from FeCl₃)
- Cl: 3 atoms (from FeCl₃)
- On the left side:
- Balance Fe atoms:
- The iron (Fe) is already balanced because there is 1 Fe atom on both sides.
- Balance Cl atoms:
- There are 2 Cl atoms on the left (from Cl₂) and 3 Cl atoms on the right (from FeCl₃). To balance the Cl atoms, we need to adjust the coefficient of Cl₂. To achieve 3 Cl atoms on the left, place a coefficient of 3 in front of Cl₂:
- Fe + 3Cl₂ → FeCl₃
- There are 2 Cl atoms on the left (from Cl₂) and 3 Cl atoms on the right (from FeCl₃). To balance the Cl atoms, we need to adjust the coefficient of Cl₂. To achieve 3 Cl atoms on the left, place a coefficient of 3 in front of Cl₂:
- Balance Fe atoms again:
- Since we now have 6 Cl atoms (3 × 2 = 6) on the left side, we need to have 6 Fe atoms on the right side to balance the reaction. Place a coefficient of 6 in front of FeCl₃:
- 6Fe + 3Cl₂ → 2FeCl₃
- Since we now have 6 Cl atoms (3 × 2 = 6) on the left side, we need to have 6 Fe atoms on the right side to balance the reaction. Place a coefficient of 6 in front of FeCl₃:
- Final balance:
- Now, we have:
- Fe: 6 atoms on both sides (6 Fe on the left and 6 Fe on the right).
- Cl: 6 atoms on both sides (3 × 2 = 6 Cl on the left and 2 × 3 = 6 Cl on the right).
- Now, we have:
Thus, the balanced equation is:
6Fe (s) + 3Cl₂ (g) → 2FeCl₃ (s).
Therefore, the correct answer is D 2, 3, 2.
Explanation:
Balancing chemical equations involves ensuring that the law of conservation of mass is followed—meaning the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. By adjusting the coefficients in front of each molecule, we ensure that the reactants and products have the same number of atoms of each element. In this case, we adjusted the coefficients to balance the iron (Fe) and chlorine (Cl) atoms, resulting in the final balanced equation.
