What are the coefficients of Fe, H2O, Fe3O4, and H2 respectively on balancing the following chemical equation? Fe + H2O → Fe3O4 + H2

Correct option is C

To balance the chemical equation Fe + H2O → Fe3O4 + H2, we need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.
1. Balance Fe (Iron): On the right side, Fe is present in Fe3O4. To balance Fe, place a coefficient of 3 in front of Fe on the left side:
· Fe + H2O → Fe3O4 + H2 (3 Fe atoms on the left)
2. Balance Oxygen (O): On the right side, Fe3O4 contains 4 oxygen atoms. To balance oxygen, place a coefficient of 4 in front of H2O:
· Fe + 4 H2O → Fe3O4 + H2 (4 oxygen atoms on both sides)
3. Balance Hydrogen (H): On the right side, H2 is present, and on the left side, there are 8 hydrogen atoms in 4 molecules of H2O. To balance hydrogen, place a coefficient of 4 in front of H2:
· Fe + 4 H2O → Fe3O4 + 4 H2 (8 hydrogen atoms on both sides)
Now the equation is balanced: 3 Fe + 4 H2O → Fe3O4 + 4 H2
Information Booster:
· The law of conservation of mass dictates that the number of atoms of each element must be the same on both sides of the equation.
· Iron (Fe) reacts with water (H2O) to form iron(III) oxide (Fe3O4) and hydrogen gas (H2).
· The coefficients in the balanced equation represent the number of molecules or moles of each substance involved in the reaction.
· In this reaction, Fe is reduced (gains electrons), while H2O is oxidized (loses electrons).
· The reaction is an example of a redox reaction, where oxidation and reduction occur simultaneously.
Additional Knowledge:
· (A) 3, 2, 1, 2: This set of coefficients would not balance the oxygen or hydrogen atoms properly, as it doesn't account for the 4 oxygen atoms in Fe3O4.
· (B) 3, 4, 1, 4: This set of coefficients correctly balances all atoms in the equation, ensuring the equation follows the law of conservation of mass.
· (C) 3, 4, 1, 2: This set of coefficients correctly balances the equation, as discussed in the solution.
· (D) 4, 3, 1, 4: This set would not work because it incorrectly balances the number of iron and oxygen atoms in the reaction.