Balance Fe₂O₃ + Al → Al₂O₃ + Fe
Fe₂O₃(s) + 2 Al(s) → Al₂O₃(s) + 2 Fe(l)
Balance an equation
Fe₂O₃(s)+2Al(s)→Al₂O₃(s)+2Fe(l)
Balanced
Atoms on each side
| Atom | As writtenleft : right | Balancedleft : right |
|---|---|---|
| Fe | 2:1 | 2:2 |
| O | 3:3 | 3:3 |
| Al | 1:2 | 2:2 |
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 left. Put 2 in front of Fe.
- O: 3 on the left. Put 1 in front of Al₂O₃ (1 × 3 = 3).
- Al: 2 on the right. Put 2 in front of Al.
- Check: Fe 2 = 2, O 3 = 3, Al 2 = 2. Balanced.
What happens
It is a displacement reaction: a more reactive element pushes a less reactive one out of its compound. Aluminium displaces iron from iron(III) oxide with so much heat that the iron comes out molten. It is used to join railway tracks.
Thermite reaction: quick answers
What is the balanced equation for thermite reaction?
Fe₂O₃(s) + 2 Al(s) → Al₂O₃(s) + 2 Fe(l). The coefficients are 1, 2, 1 and 2. Each side then has 2 Fe, 3 O and 2 Al.
What type of reaction is thermite reaction?
It is a displacement reaction: a more reactive element pushes a less reactive one out of its compound. Aluminium displaces iron from iron(III) oxide with so much heat that the iron comes out molten. It is used to join railway tracks.
How do you balance Fe₂O₃ + Al → Al₂O₃ + Fe?
Start with the biggest formula, Fe₂O₃: put 1 in front of it. Fe: 2 on the left. Put 2 in front of Fe. O: 3 on the left. Put 1 in front of Al₂O₃ (1 × 3 = 3). Al: 2 on the right. Put 2 in front of Al. Never change a subscript, because that would change the substance.