Question

Balance the equation: C + Fe2O3 → Fe + CO ?

Answer 1

`Fe_2O_3+3C+Deltararr2Fe+3CO`

Explanation:

And this is a redox equation in which carbon (as coke) is oxidized to `"carbon monoxide"`......and `"ferric oxide"` is reduced to metallic iron. And this is one of the effectual reactions of our civilization....

How could we do this reaction systematically.....?

`Fe_2O_3(s) +6H^(+) +6e^(-) rarr 2Fe+3H_2O` `(i)`

i.e. the reduction half-equation.....

And there is a corresponding oxidation equation........

`C+H_2O rarrCO+2H^(+) + 2e^(-)` `(ii)`

And we add these reactions in a way so as to eliminate the electrons which are included as virtual particles of convenience......

And so `(i) + 3xx(ii)` we gets......

`Fe_2O_3(s) +cancel(6H^(+) +6e^(-))+3C+cancel(3H_2O) rarr2Fe +cancel(3H_2O)+3CO+cancel(6H^(+) + 6e^(-))`

To give finally.......

`Fe_2O_3 +3C rarr2Fe +3CO`

Which is the same as we got before. These reactions are performed in the manufacture of iron and steel....and there are extensive data on these sorts of reactions.