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Which of the following correctly represents a balanced chemical equation?
(A) Fe(s) + 4H 2 O(g) → Fe 3 O 4 (s) + 4H 2 (g)
(B) 3Fe(s) + 4H 2 O(g) → Fe 3 O 4 (s) + 4H 2 (g)
(C) 3Fe(s) + H 2 O(g) → Fe 3 O 4 (s) + H 2 (g)
(D) 3Fe(s) + 4H 2 O(g) → Fe 3 O 4 (s) + H 2 (g)
Answer -
A balanced chemical equation is one in which the number of atoms of both reactants and products are equal.
In reaction A:
|
Fe |
H |
O |
|
|
Reactant |
1 |
8 |
4 |
|
Product |
3 |
8 |
4 |
Since the number of Fe atoms in reactant and product is not equal, it is not a balanced equation.
In reaction B:
|
Fe |
H |
O |
|
|
Reactant |
3 |
8 |
4 |
|
Product |
3 |
8 |
4 |
Since the number of all atoms in reactants and products is equal, it is a balanced equation.
.
In reaction C:
|
Fe |
H |
O |
|
|
Reactant |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Product |
3 |
2 |
4 |
Since the number of O atoms in reactant and product is not equal. It is not a balanced equation
In Reaction D:
|
Fe |
H |
O |
|
|
Reactant |
3 |
8 |
4 |
|
Product |
3 |
2 |
4 |
Since the number of H atoms is not equal in reactant and product, it is not a balanced equation.
So, the correct
answer is (b) -
3Fe(s) + 4H
2
O(g) → Fe
3
O
4
(s) + 4H
2
(g)
