Balance the following redox reaction: \( \mathrm{Fe_2O_3 + CO \rightarrow Fe + CO_2} \)

Answer Details

The balanced equation for the given redox reaction is: Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2 To balance this reaction, we need to make sure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. In the reaction, we have Fe, O, and C as the elements. Step 1: Balancing Fe There are 2 Fe atoms on the left side and only 1 Fe atom on the right side. To balance the Fe atoms, we need to put a coefficient in front of Fe on the right side. Hence, the equation becomes: Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2 Step 2: Balancing O There are 3 O atoms in Fe2O3 and 3 O atoms in CO2 on the right side. To balance the O atoms, we need to make sure there are 3 O atoms on the left side as well. So we put a coefficient of 2 in front of Fe2O3: 2Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2 Step 3: Balancing C There are already 3 C atoms on both sides, so no further balancing is needed for C. Now the equation is balanced with 2Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2. So the correct option is: Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2