Question

Which element(s) are not balanced in this equation? Fe2O3+3 CO → Fe+3 CO2

A.
Only the Fe is unbalanced.

B.
Only the O is unbalanced

C.
Fe and O are both unbalanced.

D.
C and O are both unbalanced

Answer 1

The Fe is the only unbalanced.
This is because their are 2 Fe in the reactants and only 1 Fe in the products.

Answer 2

Answer is: A. Only the Fe is unbalanced.

Unbalanced chemical reaction: Fe₂O₃ + 3CO → Fe+ 3CO₂.

a) On the left side of the unbalanced chemical reaction there are:

1) two iron atoms (in Fe₂O₃).

2) six oxygen atoms (three in Fe₂O₃ and three in 3 molecules of carbon monoxide CO).

3) three carbon atoms (in 3 molecules of carbon monoxide; 3 · 1 = 3).

b) On the left side of the unbalanced chemical reaction there are:

1) one iron atom (Fe).

2) six oxygen atoms (in 3 molecules of carbon dioxide CO₂; 3 · 2 = 6).

3) three carbon atoms (in 3 molecules of carbon dioxide CO₂; 3 · 1 = 3).