Question

Complete and balance the equation ___ H2 + ____Fe2O3 ->___ Fe + ___ H2O `

Answer 1

To answer whether the equation is balanced or not we count the number of atoms on each side of the equation:

$H_2+Fe_2O_3\rightarrow Fe^{\circ}+H_2O$

Hydrogen: 2

Iron: 2 and 1

Oxygen: 3 and 1

As we can see both iron and oxygen are unbalanced.

We start by balancing th iron:

$H_2+Fe_2O_3\operatorname{\rightarrow}2Fe^{\operatorname{\circ}}+H_2O$

Now we have 2 atoms of iron on each side.

And then we proceed with oxygen:

$3H_2+Fe_2O_3\operatorname{\rightarrow}2Fe^{\operatorname{\circ}}+3H_2O$

So now we have the same number of each atom in both sides of the equation and it is balanced.