Question

How can I get `"Fe"_2"O"_3` and `"FeO"` from `"Fe"`?

Answer 1

`2Fe (s) + O_2 (g) -> 2FeO (s)`
`4Fe (s) + 3 O_2 (g) -> 2Fe_2O_3 (s)`

Explanation:

`FeO` is rare in nature:

`2Fe (s) + O_2 (g) -> 2FeO (s)`

If you start with iron (`Fe`), you can expose it to oxygen and water and it will rust to get `Fe_2O_3` (iron III oxide):

`4Fe (s) + 3 O_2 (g) -> 2Fe_2O_3 (s)`

If you are interested, usually you start with an iron ore such as hematite `Fe_2O_3` and burn carbon with some air to get `CO`. This reaction gets `Fe`: `Fe_2O_3 + 3CO -> 2 Fe + 3CO_2`