Question

4fe + 3o₂ → 2fe₂o₃ how can the equation be analyzed to show which characteristics of the reactants and products are the same and which characteristics of the reactants and products are different? 1. number of iron atoms dropdown 2. number of oxygen atoms dropdown 3. physical & chemical properties of the substances dropdown 4. does this chemical equation support the claim that mass is conserved? dropdown

Explanation:

1. Number of Iron atoms

Step1: Count Fe in reactants

Reactants: \(4\text{Fe}\), so 4 Fe atoms.

Step2: Count Fe in products

Products: \(2\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3\), each \(\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3\) has 2 Fe, so \(2\times2 = 4\) Fe atoms.

Step3: Compare

Number of Fe atoms is same (4 in reactants and 4 in products).

Step1: Count O in reactants

Reactants: \(3\text{O}_2\), each \(\text{O}_2\) has 2 O, so \(3\times2 = 6\) O atoms.

Step2: Count O in products

Products: \(2\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3\), each \(\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3\) has 3 O, so \(2\times3 = 6\) O atoms.

Step3: Compare

Number of O atoms is same (6 in reactants and 6 in products).

Step1: Identify substances

Reactants: Fe (metal, solid, reactive metal) and \(\text{O}_2\) (gas, diatomic, oxidizing agent).

Step2: Identify product

Product: \(\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3\) (rust, solid, ionic compound, different reactivity).

Step3: Compare properties

Physical (state, appearance) and chemical (reactivity, bonding) properties differ as reactants are Fe (metal) and \(\text{O}_2\) (gas), product is \(\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3\) (solid compound).

Answer:

Same

2. Number of Oxygen atoms