Balance Fe + O₂ → Fe₂O₃
4 Fe(s) + 3 O₂(g) → 2 Fe₂O₃(s)
Balance an equation
4Fe(s)+3O₂(g)→2Fe₂O₃(s)
Balanced
Atoms on each side
| Atom | As writtenleft : right | Balancedleft : right |
|---|---|---|
| Fe | 1:2 | 4:4 |
| O | 2:3 | 6:6 |
Check atoms
How to balance it, step by step
- Count the atoms of each element on both sides, as written.
- Start with the biggest formula, Fe₂O₃: put 1 in front of it.
- Fe: 2 on the right. Put 2 in front of Fe.
- O: 3 on the right. Put 3/2 in front of O₂ (3/2 × 2 = 3).
- Clear the fraction: multiply every coefficient by 2.
- Check: Fe 4 = 4, O 6 = 6. Balanced.
What happens
It is a combination reaction: two or more substances join to form a single product. Iron combines with oxygen to form iron(III) oxide. Iron is oxidised and oxygen is reduced.
Iron and oxygen: quick answers
What is the balanced equation for iron and oxygen?
4 Fe(s) + 3 O₂(g) → 2 Fe₂O₃(s). The coefficients are 4, 3 and 2. Each side then has 4 Fe and 6 O.
What type of reaction is iron and oxygen?
It is a combination reaction: two or more substances join to form a single product. Iron combines with oxygen to form iron(III) oxide. Iron is oxidised and oxygen is reduced.
How do you balance Fe + O₂ → Fe₂O₃?
Start with the biggest formula, Fe₂O₃: put 1 in front of it. Fe: 2 on the right. Put 2 in front of Fe. O: 3 on the right. Put 3/2 in front of O₂ (3/2 × 2 = 3). Clear the fraction: multiply every coefficient by 2. Never change a subscript, because that would change the substance.