Question

use the equation below to answer the following questions:
2fe₂o₃ + c → fe + 3co₂

r	a	p
blank	oxygen	blank
blank	carbon	blank

is mass conserved in this chemical equation? (y=yes, n=no)
blank

did a chemical reaction occur? (y=yes, n=no)
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Explanation:

First, we need to balance the chemical equation \(2\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 + \text{C}
ightarrow \text{Fe} + 3\text{CO}_2\) to analyze the number of each atom on the reactant (R) and product (P) sides.

Step 1: Balance Iron (Fe)

• Reactant side (R): In \(2\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3\), the number of Fe atoms is \(2\times2 = 4\).
• Product side (P): Currently, there is 1 Fe atom. To balance Fe, we need to put a coefficient of 4 in front of Fe: \(2\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 + \text{C}

ightarrow 4\text{Fe} + 3\text{CO}_2\)

Step 2: Balance Oxygen (O)

• Reactant side (R): In \(2\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3\), the number of O atoms is \(2\times3 = 6\).
• Product side (P): In \(3\text{CO}_2\), the number of O atoms is \(3\times2 = 6\). So, O is balanced.

Step 3: Balance Carbon (C)

• Reactant side (R): Currently, there is 1 C atom.
• Product side (P): In \(3\text{CO}_2\), the number of C atoms is 3. To balance C, we need to put a coefficient of 3 in front of C: \(2\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 + 3\text{C}

ightarrow 4\text{Fe} + 3\text{CO}_2\)

Now, let's fill the table:

R	A	P
\(2\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3\)	Oxygen	\(3\text{CO}_2\)
\(3\text{C}\)	Carbon	\(3\text{CO}_2\)

Question 1: Is mass conserved in this chemical equation?

Mass is conserved in a chemical reaction if the number of each type of atom is the same on both sides (Law of Conservation of Mass). After balancing, we have:

• Fe: 4 on R (from \(2\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3\)) and 4 on P (from \(4\text{Fe}\))
• O: 6 on R (from \(2\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3\)) and 6 on P (from \(3\text{CO}_2\))
• C: 3 on R (from \(3\text{C}\)) and 3 on P (from \(3\text{CO}_2\))

Since the number of each atom is balanced, mass is conserved. So the answer is Y (Yes).

Question 2: Did a chemical reaction occur?

A chemical reaction occurs when reactants (compounds/elements on the left) are transformed into products (compounds/elements on the right) with new substances formed. Here, \(\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3\) and C are reactants, and Fe and \(\text{CO}_2\) are products (new substances). So a chemical reaction occurred. The answer is Y (Yes).

Final Answers for the Table (Atom Counts):

• Iron: R = 4 (from \(2\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3\)), P = 4 (from \(4\text{Fe}\))
• Oxygen: R = 6 (from \(2\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3\)), P = 6 (from \(3\text{CO}_2\))
• Carbon: R = 3 (from \(3\text{C}\)), P = 3 (from \(3\text{CO}_2\))

Answer:

s for the Questions:

• Is mass conserved? Y
• Did a chemical reaction occur? Y